LILLJMOKH 

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LALLA    ROOKH 


THOMAS   MOORE 


J, 


CJKitl)  Jtllustvatfons 


FROil  DESIGNS  BY  JOIIX  TENSIEL 


NEW   YORK 

PUBLISHED   BY   HURT)   AND   HOUGHTON 

4D9  Broome  Street 

1867 


•\^ 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  tlie  year  1866,  by 

UuRD  AND  Houghton, 

in  tlie  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of 

New  York. 


RIVERSIDE,    CAMBRIDGE  : 

STEREOTYPED    AND    PRINTED    BY 

H.    0.    HOUGHTON    AND   COMPANY. 


TO 

SAMUEL   ROGERS,   ESQ., 
STHs  Volume 

IS    DEDICATED   BY   UIS   VERY   GRATEFUL  AND    AFi'ECTIONATE 
FRIEND, 

THOMAS  MOORE. 


y^^S^^^^,;:r^.:..,^4^;^ 


j;d?i^M2^^^^^^^^%a^^^i^£^l?^^ 


PREFACE. 


(WRITTEN  ORIGINALLY  FOR  "  LALLA  ROOKII,"   IN  THE   COL- 
LECTED  EDITION  OF   MOORE'S   WORKS.) 

The  poem,  or  romance,  of  "•  Lalla  Rookh  "  hav- 
ing now  reached,  I  understand,  its  twentieth  edi- 
tion, a  short  account  of  the  origin  and  progress  of  a 
work  wliich  has  been  hitlierto  so  very  fortunate  in 
its  course,  may  not  be  deemed,  perhaps,  superfluous 
or  misplaced. 

It  was  about  the  year  1812,  that,  far  more  through 
the  encouraging  suggestions  of  friends  than  from 
any  confident  promptings  of  my  own  ambition,  I 
conceived  the  design  of  writing  a  poem  upon  some 
Oriental  subject,  and  of  those  quarto  dimensions 
which  Scott's  successful  publications  in  that  form 
had  then  rendered  the  regular  poetical  standard.  A 
negotiation  on  the  subject  Avas  ojjened  with  the 
Messrs.  Longman,  in  the  same  year,  but,  from  some 
causes  which  I  cannot  now  recollect,  led  to  no  deci- 
sive result ;  nor  was  it  till  a  year  or  two  after,  that 
any  further  steps  were  taken  in  the  matter,  —  their 
house  being  the  only  one,  it  is  right  to  add,  with 
which,  from  first  to  last,  I  held  any  communication 
upon  the  subject. 
1 


2  PREFACE. 

On  this  last  occasion,  Mr.  Perry  kindly  offered 
himself  as  my  rejiresentative  in  the  treaty ;  and, 
what  with  the  friendly  zeal  of  my  negotiator  on  the 
one  side,  and  the  prompt  and  liberal  spirit  with 
which  he  was  met  on  the  other,  there  has  seldom, 
I  think,  occurred  any  transaction  in  which  Trade 
and  Poesy  have  shone  out  so  advantageously  in 
each  other's  eyes.  The  short  discussion  that  then 
took  place,  between  the  two  parties,  may  be  com- 
prised in  a  very  few  sentences.  "  I  am  of  opin- 
ion," said  Mr.  Perry,  —  enforcing  his  view  of  the 
case  by  arguments  which  it  is  not  for  me  to  cite,  — 
"  that  Mr.  Moore  ought  to  receive  for  his  poem  the 
largest  price  that  has  been  given,  in  our  day,  for 
such  a  work."  "That  was,"  answered  the  Messrs. 
Longman,  "  three  thousand  guineas."  "  Exactly  so," 
replied  Mr.  Perry ;  "  and  no  less  a  sum  ought  he  to 
receive." 

It  was  then  objected,  and  very  reasonably,  on  the 
part  of  the  firm,  that  they  had  never  yet  seen  a 
single  line  of  the  poem  ;  and  that  a  perusal  of  the 
work  ought  to  be  allowed  to  them  before  they  em- 
bai'ked  so  large  a  sum  in  the  purchase.  But,  no  ;  — 
the  romantic  view  Avhich  my  friend  Perry  took  of 
the  matter  was,  that  this  price  should  be  given  as  a 
tribute  to  reputation  already  acquired,  without  any 
conchtion  for  a  j^revious  perusal  of  the  new  work. 
This  high  tone,  I  must  confess,  not  a  little  startled 
and  alarmed  me  ;  but,  to  the  honor  and  glory  of 
Romance,  —  as  well  on  the  publishers'  side  as  the 


PREFACE.  3 

poet's,  —  this  very  generous  view  of  the  tramsaction 
was,  without  any  difficulty,  acceded  to ;  and  the  firm 
agreed,  before  we  separated,  that  I  was  to  receive 
three  thousand  guineas  for  my  poem. 

At  the  time  of  this  agreement,  but  Httle  of  the 
work,  as  it  stands  at  present,  had  yet  been  written. 
But  the  ready  confidence  in  my  success  shown  by 
others  made  up  for  the  deficiency  of  that  requisite 
feeling  within  myself;  while  a  strong  desire  not 
wholly  to  disappoint  this  "  auguring  hope  "  became 
almost  a  substitute  for  inspiration.  In  the  year 
1815,  therefore,  having  made  some  progress  in  my 
task,  I  wrote  to  report  the  state  of  the  work  to  the 
Messrs.  Longman,  adding  that  I  was  now  most  will- 
ing and  ready,  should  they  desire  it,  to  submit  the 
manuscript  for  their  consideration.  Their  answer 
to  this  offer  was  as  follows :  "  We  are  certainly  im- 
patient for  the  perusal  of  the  poem  ;  but  solely  for 
our  gratification.  Your  sentiments  are  always  hon- 
orable." * 

I  continued  to  pursue  my  task  for  another  year, 
being  likewise  occasionally  occupied  with  the  ''  Irish 
Melodies,"  two  or  three  numbers  of  which  made  their 
appearance  during  the  j^eriod  employed  in  writing 
"  Lalla  Rookh."  At  length,  in  the  year  18 1 G,  I  found 
my  work  sufficiently  advanced  to  be  placed  in  the 
hands  of  the  publishers.  But  the  state  of  distress  to 
which  England  was  reduced  in  that  dismal  year,  by 
the  exhausting  effects  of  the  series  of  wars  she  had 

*  April  10,  ]815. 


4  PREFACE. 

just  then  concluded,  and  the  general  emban-assment 
of  all  classes,  both  agricultural  and  commercial,  ren- 
dered it  a  juncture  the  least  favorable  that  could 
well  be  conceived  for  the  first  launch  into  print  of 
so  light  and  costly  a  venture  as  "  Lalla  Rookh." 
Feeling  conscious,  therefore,  that,  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, I  should  act  but  honestly  in  putting  it 
in  the  power  of  the  Messrs.  Longman  to  reconsider 
the  terms  of  their  engagement  with  me,  leaving  them 
free  to  postpone,  modify,  or  even,  should  such  be 
their  wish,  relinquish  it  altogether,  I  wrote  them  a 
letter  to  that  effect,  and  received  the  following  an- 
swer :  "  We  shall  be  most  happy  in  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  yovi  in  February.  We  agree  with  you, 
indeed,  that  the  times  are  most  inauspicious  for 
'  poetry  and  thousands  ; '  but  we  believe  that  your 
poetry  would  do  more  than  that  of  any  other  living 
poet  at  the  present  moment."  * 

The  length  of  time  I  employed  in  writing  the  few 
stories  strung  together  in  "  Lalla  Rookh  "  will  appear 
to  some  persons  much  more  than  was  necessary  for 
the  production  of  such  easy  and  "  light  o'  love  "  fic- 
tions. But,  besides  that  I  have  been  at  all  times 
a  far  more  slow  and  painstaking  workman  than 
would  ever  be  guessed,  I  fear,  from  the  result,  I  felt, 
that,  in  this  instance,  I  had  taken  upon  myself  a 
more  than  ordinary  responsibility,  from  the  im- 
mense stake  risked  by  others  on  my  chance  of  suc- 
cess.    For  a  long  time,  therefore,  after  the  agree- 

*  November  9,  1816. 


PREFACE.  5 

meiit  had  been  concluded,  though  generally  at  work 
with  a  \ae\v  to  this  task,  I  made  but  very  little  real 
progress  in  it ;  and  I  have  still  by  me  the  beginnings 
of  several  stories,  continued,  some  of  them,  to  the 
length  of  three  or  four  hundred  lines,  which,  after 
in  vain  endeavoring  to  mould  them  into  shape,  I 
threw  aside,  like  the  tale  of  Cambuscan,  "  left  half- 
told."  One  of  these  stories,  entitled  '•  The  Peri's 
Daughter,"  was  meant  to  relate  the  loves  of  a  nymph 
of  this  aerial  extraction  with  a  youth  of  mortal  race, 
the  rightful  Prince  of  Ormuz,  who  had  been,  from 
his  infancy,  brought  up  in  seclusion,  on  the  banks 
of  the  river  Amou,  by  an  aged  guardian  named  Mo- 
hassan.  The  story  opens  with  the  first  meeting  of 
these  destined  lovers,  then  in  their  childhood  ;  the 
Peri  having  wafted  her  daughter  to  this  holy  retreat, 
in  a  bright,  enchanted  boat,  whose  first  appearance' 
is  thus  described  :  — 

For,  down  the  silveiy  tide  afar, 
There  came  a  boat,  as  swift  and  bright 

As  shines,  in  heaven,  some  pilgrim-star, 
That  leaves  its  own  high  home,  at  night, 
To  shoot  to  distant  shrines  of  light. 

"It  comes,  it  comes,"  young  Orian  cries, 
And  panting  to  Mohassan  flies. 
Then,  down  upon  the  flowery  grass 
Reclines  to  see  the  vision  pass; 
With  partly  joy  and  partly  fear. 
To  find  its  wondrous  light  so  near. 
And  liiding  oft  his  dazzled  eyes 
Among  the  flowers  on  which  he  lies. 


(5  PREFACE. 

Within  the  boat  a  baby  slept, 

Like  a  young  pearl  within  its  shell; 
While  one,  who  seemed  of  riper  years, 
But  not  of  earth,  or  earth-like  spheres, 

Her  watch  beside  the  slumberer  kept; 

Gracefully  waving,  in  her  hand. 
The  feathers  of  some  holy  bird. 
With  which,  from  time  to  time,  she  stirred 

The  fragrant  air,  and  coolly  fanned 

The  baby's  brow,  or  brushed  away 
The  butterflies  that,  bright  and  blue 

As  on  the  mountains  of  Malay, 
Around  the  sleeping  infant  flew. 

And  now  the  fairy  boat  hath  stopped 
Beside  the  bank,  —  the  nymph  has  dropped 
Her  golden  anchor  in  the  stream  ; 

A  song  is  Sling  by  the  Peri  in  approaching,  of 
which  the  following  forms  a  part :  — 

My  child  she  is  but  half  divine. 
Her  father  sleeps  in  the  Caspian  water ; 
Sea-weeds  twine 
His  funeral  shrine. 
But  he  lives  again  in  the  Peri's  daughter. 
Fain  would  I  fly  from  mortal  sight. 

To  my  own  sweet  bowers  of  Peristan ; 
But,  there,  the  flowers  are  all  too  bright 

For  the  eyes  of  a  baby  born  of  man. 
On  flowers  of  earth  her  feet  must  tread; 
So  hither  my  light-winged  bark  hath  brought  her; 
Stranger,  spread 
Thy  leafiest  bed. 
To  rest  the  wandering  Peri's  daughter. 

In  another  of  these  inchoate  fragments,  a  proud 
female  saint,  named  Banou,  plays  a  principal  part ; 


PREFACE.  7 

and  her  progress  through  the  streets  of  Cufa,  on  the 
night  of  a  great  ilhiminated  festival,  I  find  thus  de- 
scribed :  — 

It  was  a  sceue  of  mirth  that  drew 

A  smile  from  even  the  Saint  Banou, 

As,  tln-ough  the  hushed,  admiring  throng, 

She  went  with  stately  steps  along, 

And  counted  o'er,  that  all  might  see. 

The  rubies  of  her  rosary. 

But  none  might  see  the  worldly  smile 

That  lurked  beneath  her  veil  the  while ;  — 

Alia  forbid !  for  who  would  wait 

Her  blessing  at  the  temple's  gate,  — 

What  holy  man  would  ever  run 

To  kiss  the  ground  she  knelt  upon. 

If  once,  by  luckless  chance,  he  knew 

She  looked  and  smiled  as  others  do  ? 

Her  hands  were  joined,  and  from  each  wrist 

By  threads  of  pearl  and  golden  twist 

Hung  relics  of  the  saints  of  yore, 

And  scraps  of  talismanic  lore,  — 

Charms  for  the  old,  the  sick,  the  frail, 

Some  made  for  use,  and  all  for  sale. 

On  either  side  the  crowd  withdrew, 

To  let  the  Saint  pass  proudly  through; 

While  turbaned  heads,  of  every  hue. 

Green,  white,  and  crimson,  bowed  around, 

And  gay  tiaras  touched  the  ground, — 

As  tulip-bells,  when  o'er  their  beds 

The  musk-wind  passes,  bend  their  heads. 

Nay,  some  there  were,  among  the  crowd 

Of  Moslem  heads  that  round  her  bowed, 

So  filled  with  zeal,  by  many  a  draught 

Of  Shiraz  wine  profanely  quaffed. 

That,  sinking  low  in  reverence  then. 

They  never  rose  till  morn  again. 

There   are    yet    two    more   of  these    unfinished 


8  PREFACE. 

sketches,  one  of  which  extends  to  a  much  greater 
length  than  I  was  aware  of;  and,  as  far  as  I  can 
judge  from  a  hasty  renewal  of  my  acquaintance 
with  it,  is  not  incajDable  of  being  yet  turned  to  ac- 
count. 

In  only  one  of  these  unfinished  sketches,  the  tale 
of  "  The  Peri's  Daughter,"  had  I  yet  ventured  to 
invoke  that  most  home-felt  of  all  my  inspirations, 
which  has  lent  to  the  story  of  ''  The  Fire-Worship- 
pers "  its  main  attraction  and  interest.  That  it  was 
my  intention,  in  the  concealed  Prince  of  Ormuz,  to 
shadow  out  some  impersonation  of  this  feeling,  I 
take  for  granted  from  the  prophetic  words  supposed 
to    be  addressed  to  him  by  his  aged  guardian  :  — 

Bright  child  of  destiny!  even  now 
I  read  the  promise  on  that  brow. 
That  tyrants  shall  no  more  defile 
The  glories  of  the  Green-Sea  Isle, 
But  Ormuz  shall  again  be  free, 
And  hail  her  native  Lord  in  thee ! 

In  none  of  the  other  fragments  do  I  find  any 
trace  of  this  sort  of  feeling,  either  in  the  subject  or 
the  personages  of  the  intended  story  ;  and  this  was 
the  reason,  doubtless,  though  hardly  known  at  the 
time  to  myself,  that,  finding  my  subjects  so  slow  in 
kindling  my  own  sympathies,  I  began  to  despair  of 
their  ever  touching  the  hearts  of  others  ;  and  felt 
often  inclined  to  say,  — 

"  Oh  no,  T  have  no  voice  or  hand 
For  such  a  song,  in  such  a  land." 


PREACE.  9 

Had  this  series  of  disheartening  experiments  been 
carried  on  much  further,  I  must  have  thrown  aside 
the  work  in  despair.  But  at  last,  fortunately  as  it 
proved,  the  thought  occurred  to  me  of  founding  a 
story  on  the  fierce  struggle  so  long  maintained  be- 
tween the  Ghebers,*  or  ancient  Fire-worshippers  of 
Persia,  and  their  haughty  Moslem  masters.  From 
that  moment,  a  new  and  deep  interest  in  my  whole 
task  took  possession  of  me.  The  cause  of  tolerance 
was  again  my  inspiring  theme  ;  and  the  spirit  that 
had  spoken  in  the  melodies  of  Ireland  soon  found 
itself  at  home  in  the  East. 

Having  thus  laid  open  the  secrets  of  the  work- 
shop to  account  for  the  time  expended  in  writing 
this  work,  I  must  also,  in  justice  to  my  own  industry, 
notice  the  pains  I  took  in  long  and  laboriously  read- 
ing for  it.  To  form  a  storehouse,  as  it  were,  of 
illustration  purely  Oriental,  and  so  familiarize  my- 
self with  its  various  treasures,  that,  as  quick  as 
Fancy  required  the  aid  of  fact,  in  her  spiritings, 
the  memory  was  ready,  like  another  Ariel,  at  her 
"  strong  bidding,"  to  furnish  materials  for  the  spell- 
work,  —  such  was,  for  a  long  while,  the  sole  object 
of  my  studies  ;  and  whatever  time  and  trouble  this 
preparatory  process  may  have  cost  me,  the  effects 
resulting  from   it,  as  far  as  the  humble  merit  of 

*  Voltaire,  in  his  tragedy  of  Les  Gu'ehres,  written  with  a  simi- 
lar under-current  of  meaning,  was  accused  of  having  transformed 
his  Fire-worshippers  into  Jansenists:  "  Quelques  figuristes,"  he 
says,  "  pr^tendent  que  les  Gu^bres  sont  les  Jansenistes." 


10  PREFACE. 

truthfulness  is  concerned,  have  been  such  as  to  re- 
pay me  more  than  sufficiently  for  my  pains.  I  have 
not  forgotten  how  great  was  my  pleasure,  when  told 
by  the  late  Sir  James  Mackintosh  that  he  was  once 

asked  by  Colonel  W s,  the  historian  of  British 

India,  whether  it  was  true  that  Moore  had  never 
been  in  the  East.     "  Never,"  answered  Mackintosh. 

"  Well,  that  shows  me,"  replied   Colonel  W s, 

"  that  reading  over  D'llerbelot  is  as  good  as  riding 
on  the  back  of  a  camel." 

I  need  hardly  subjoin  to  this  lively  speech,  that 
although  D'llerbelot's  valuable  work  was,  of  course, 
one  of  my  manuals,  I  took  the  whole  range  of  all 
such  Oriental  reading  as  was  accessible  to  me  ;  and 
became,  for  the  time,  indeed,  far  more  conversant 
with  all  relating  to  that  distant  region,  than  I  have 
ever  been  with  the  scenery,  productions,  or  modes 
of  life  of  any  of  those  countries  lying  most  within 
my  reach.  We  know  that  D'Anville,  though  never 
in  his  life  out  of  Paris,  was  able  to  correct  a  num- 
ber of  errors  in  a  plan  of  the  Troad  taken  by  De 
Choiseul  on  the  spot ;  and,  for  my  own  very  differ- 
ent, as  well  as  far  inferior,  purposes,  the  knowledge 
I  had  thus  acquired  of  distant  localities,  seen  only 
by  me  in  my  day-dreams,  was  no  less  ready  and 
useful. 

An  ample  reward  for  all  this  painstaking  has 
been  found  in  such  welcome  tributes  as  I  have  just 
now  cited  ;  nor  can  I  deny  myself  the  gratification 
of  citing  a  few  more  of  the  same  description.     From 


PREFACE.  11 

another  distinguished  authority  on  Eastern  subjects, 
the  late  Sir  John  Malcohn,  I  had  myself  the*  pleas- 
ure of  hearing  a  similar  opinion  publicly  expressed ; 
—  that  eminent  person,  in  a  speech  spoken  by  him 
at  a  Literary  Fund  Dinner,  having  remarked,  that, 
together  with  those  qualities  of  the  poet  which  he 
much  too  partially  assigned  to  me,  was  combined 
also  "  the  truth  of  the  historian." 

Sir  William  Ouseley,  another  high  authority,  in 
giving  his  testimony  to  the  same  effect,  thus  notices 
an  exception  to  the  general  accuracy  ..for  which  he 
gives  me  credit :  ''  Dazzled  by  the  beauties  of  this 
composition,*  few  readers  can  perceive,  and  none 
surely  can  regret,  that  the  poet,  in  his  magnificent 
catastrophe,  has  forgotten,  or  boldly  and  most  hap- 
pily violated,  the  precept  of  Zoroaster,  above  noticed, 
which  held  it  impious  to  consume  any  portion  of  a 
human  body  by  fire,  especially  by  that  which  glowed 
upon  their  altars."  Having  long  lost,  I  fear,  most 
of  my  Eastern  learning,  I  can  only  cite,  in  defence 
of  my  catastrophe,  an  old  Oriental  tradition,  which 
relates  that  Nimrod,  when  Abraham  refused,  at  his 
command,  to  worship  the  fire,  ordered  him  to  be 
thrown  into  the  midst  of  the  flames.f  A  precedent 
so  ancient  for  this  sort  of  use  of  the  worshipped 
element  would  appear,  for  all  purposes  at  least  of 
poetry,  fully  sufficient. 

*   The  Fire-  Worshippers. 

t  "  Tradunt  autem  Hebraii  hauc  fabulam  quod  Abraham  in  ig- 
nem  missus  sit  quia  ignem  adorare  noluit."  —  St.  Hieron.  in  ( 
in  Genesim. 


12  PREFACE. 

In  addition  to  these  agreeable  testimonies,  I  b.ave 
also  heard,  and,  need  hardly  add,  with  some  pride 
and  pleasnre,  that  parts  of  this  work  have  been  ren- 
dered into  Persian,  and  have  found  their  way  to 
Ispahan.  To  this  fact,  as  I  am  willing  to  think  it, 
allusion  is  made  in  some  lively  verses,  written  many 
years  since  by  my  friend,  Mr.  Luttrell :  — 

"  I  'm  told,  dear  Moore,  your  lays  are  sung, 

(Can  it  be  true,  you  lucky  man  '?) 
By  moonlight,  in  the  Persian  tongue, 
Along  the  streets  of  Ispahan." 

That  some  knowledge  of  the  work  may  have 
really  reached  that  region,  appears  not  improbable 
from  a  passage  in  the  "  Travels  "  of  Mr.  Frazer,  who 
says,  that,  •"  being  delayed  for  some  time  at  a  town 
on  the  shores  of  the  Caspian,  he  was  lucky  enough 
to  be  able  to  amuse  himself  with  a  copy  of  '  Lalla 
Rookh,'  which  a  Persian  had  lent  him." 

Of  the  description  of  Balbec,  in  "  Paradise  and 
the  Peri,"  Mr.  Carne,  in  his  "  Letters  from  the  East," 
thus  speaks  :  "  The  description  in  '  Lalla  Rookh '  of 
the  plain  and  its  ruins  is  exquisitely  faithful.  The 
minaret  is  on  the  declivity  near  at  hand,  and  there 
wanted  only  the  muezzin's  cry  to  break  the  silence." 

I  shall  now  tax  my  reader's  patience  with  but  one 
more  of  these  generous  vouchers.  Whatever  of 
vanity  there  may  be  in  citing  such  tributes,  they 
show,  at  least,  of  what  great  value,  even  in  poetry, 
is  that  prosaic  quality,  industry ;  since,  as  the  reader 
of  the  foregoing  pages  is  now  fully  apprised,  it  was 


PREFACE.  13 

in  a  slow  and  laborious  collection  of  small  facts  that 
the  first  foundations  of  this  fanciful  romance  were 
laid. 

The  friendly  testimony  I  have  just  referred  to 
appeared,  some  years  since,  in  the  form  in  which  I 
now  give  it,  and,  if  I  recollect  right,  in  the  "  Athe- 
n;eum  " :  — 

"  I  embrace  this  opportunity  of  bearing  my  indi- 
vidual testimony  (if  it  be  of  any  value)  to  the  ex- 
traordinary accuracy  of  Mr.  Moore,  in  his  topograph- 
ical, antiquarian,  and  characteristic  details,  whether 
of  costume,  manners,  or  less  changing  monuments, 
both  in  his  '  Lalla  Rookh '  and  in  the  '  Epicurean.' 
It  has  been  my  fortune  to  read  his  Atlantic,  Bermu- 
dean,  and  American  Odes  and  Epistles  in  the  coun- 
tries and  among  the  people  to  which  and  to  whom 
they  related ;  I  enjoyed  also  the  exquisite  delight  of 
reading  his  '  Lalla  Rookh  '  in  Persia  itself;  and  I 
have  perused  the  '  Epicurean,'  while  all  my  recollec- 
tions of  Egypt  and  its  still  existing  wonders  are  as 
fresh  as  when  I  quitted  the  banks  of  the  Nile  for  Ara- 
bia ;  I  owe  it,  therefore,  as  a  debt  of  gratitude  (though 
the  payment  is  most  inadequate)  for  the  great  pleas- 
ure I  have  derived  from  his  productions,  to  bear  my 
humble  testimony  to  their  local  fidelity. 

"J.  S.  B." 

Among  the  incidents  connected  with  this  work, 
I  must  not   omit  to  notice  the   splendid  divertisse- 


14  TREFACE. 

ment,  founded  upon  it,  which  was  acted  at  the  Cha- 
teau Royal  of  Berlin,  during  the  visit  of  the  Grand 
Duke  Nicholas  to  that  cajDital,  in  the  year  1822. 
The  different  stories  composing  the  work  were  rep- 
resented in  tahleaux  vivans  and  songs ;  and  among 
the  crowd  of  royal  and  noble  personages  engaged  in 
the  performances,  I  shall  mention  those  only  who 
represented  the  principal  characters,  and  Avhom  I 
find  thus  enumerated  in  the  published  account  of 
the  divertissement: — * 

h  adladin,  Grand-Nasir '.  ^      v  ^ 

Aliris,  Roi  de  Bucharie S.  A.  I.  Le  Grand  Due. 

Lalla  Koukh S.  A.  J.  La  Grande  Buchesse. 

»  1    1    /i        1  T\r       1  I  S.  A.  R.  Lb  Prince  Guillaume, 

Auningzeb,  le  Orand  Mogol . . . .  |         _^.. ■  ,.^  ^^^^  ^^ ■ 

Abdallah,  pere  d'Aliris j  '^-  \j^l  ^«  ^'"^  '^'    ^™'*^'- 

r     r>  ■               /  {  S.  A.  R.  La  Princesse  Louise 

La  Reine,  son  epouse |  RadzivUl." 

Besides  these  and  other  leading  personages,  there 
were  also  brought  into  action,  under  the  various 
denominations  of  Seig?ieurs  et  Dames  de  Bucharie, 
Dames  de  Cachemire,  Seigneurs  et  Dames  dansans  a 
la  Fete  des  Roses,  etc.,  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty 
persons. 

Of  the  manner  and  style  in  which  the  tableaux 
of  the  different  stories  are  described  in  the  work 
from  which  I  cite,  the  following  account  of  the  per- 

•  *  Lalla    RoilkJi^  Divertissement,  mele  de    Chants   et  de   Dnnses, 

Berlin,  1822.     The  work  contains  a  series  of  colored  engravings, 

representing  groups,  processions,  etc.,  in  different  Oriental  cos- 
tumes. 


•     PREFACE.  15 

formance  of  "  Paradise  and  the  Peri "  will  afford 
some  specimen :  — 

"  La  decoration  representoit  les  portes  brillantes 
du  Paradis,  entourees  de  niiages.  Dans  le  premier 
tableau  on  voyoit  la  Peri,  triste  et  desolee,  couchee 
sur  le  seuil  des  portes  fermees,  et  I'Ange  de  lumiere 
qui  lui  addresse  des  consolations  et  des  conseils. 
Le  second  represente  le  moment  ou  la  Peri,  dans 
I'espoir  que  ce  don  lui  ouvrira  I'entree  du  Paradis, 
recueille  la  derniere  goutte  de  sang  que  vient  de 
verser  le  jeune  guerrier  Tndien 

"  La  Peri  et  I'Ange  de  lumiere  repondoient  pleine- 
ment  a  I'image  et  a  I'idee  qu'on  est  tente  de  se 
faire  de  ces  deux  individus,  et  I'impression  qu'a  faite 
generalement  la  suite  des  tableaux  de  cet  episode 
delicat  et  interessant  est  loin  de  s'effacer  de  notre 
souvenir." 

In  this  grand  ye^e,  it  appears,  originated  the  trans- 
lation of  "  Lalla  Kookh  "  into  German  verse,*  by  the 
Baron  de  la  Motte  Fouqiie;  and  the  circumstances 
which  led  him  to  undertake  the  task  are  described 
by  himself  in  a  Dedicatory  Poem  to  the  Empress 
of  Russia,  which  he  has  prefixed  to  his  translation. 
As  soon  as  the  performance,  he  tells  us,  had  ended, 
Lalla  Rookh  (the  Empress  herself)  exclaimed,  with 
a  sigh,  "  Is  it,  then,  all  over  ?  are  we  now  at  the 
close  of  all  that  has  given  us  so  much  delight  ?  and 

*  Since  this  was  written,  another  translation  of  Lalla  Rookh  into 
German  verse  has  been  made  by  ThcoclorOelckers(  Leipzig,  Tauch- 
nitz,  Jan.),  which  has  aheady  passed  through  three  editions. 


16  PREFACE. 

lives  there  no  poet  who  will  impart  to  others,  and 
to  future  times,  some  notion  of  the  happiness  we 
have  enjoyed  this  evening  ? "  On  hearing  this  ap- 
peal, a  Knight  of  Cashmere  (who  is  no  other  than 
the  poetical  Baron  himself)  comes  forward  and  prom- 
ises to  attempt  to  present  to  the  world  "  the  poem 
itself  in  the  measure  of  the  original ; "  —  where- 
upon Lai  la  Rookh,  it  is  added,  approvingly  smiled. 


LALLA   ROOKH. 


In  the  eleventh  year  of  the  reign  of  Aurungzebe, 
AbdaHa,  King  of  the  Lesser  Bucharia,  a  lineal  de- 
scendant from  the  Great  Zingis,  having  abdicated 
the  throne  in  favor  of  his  son,  set  out  on  a  pilgrim- 
age to  the  Shrine  of  the  Prophet ;  and,  passing  into 
India  through  the  delightful  valley  of  Cashmere, 
rested  for  a  short  time  at  Delhi  on  his  way.  He 
was  entertained  by  Aurungzebe  in  a  style  of  mag- 
nificent hospitality,  worthy  alike  of  the  visitor  and 
the  host,  and  was  afterwards  escorted  with  the  same 
splendor  to  Surat,  where  he  embarked  for  Arabia.^ 
During  the  stay  of  the  Royal  Pilgrim  at  Delhi,  a 
marriage  was  agreed  upon  between  the  Prince,  his 
son,  and  the  youngest  daughter  of  the  Emperor, 
Lalla  Rookh,^ — a  princess  described  by  the  poets 
of  her  time  as  more  beautiful  than  Leila,^  Shirine,^ 
Dewilde,^  or  any  of  those  heroines  whose  names 
and  loves  embellish  the  songs  of  Persia  and  Hin- 
dostan.  It  was  intended  that  the  nuptials  should 
be  celebrated  at  Cashmere  ;  where  the  young  King, 
as  soon  as  the  cares  of  empire  would  permit,  was  to 
2 


18  LALLA   KOOKH. 

meet  for  the  first  time  his  lovely  bride,  and.  after  a 
few  months'  repose  in  that  enchanting  valley,  con- 
duct her  over  the  snowy  hills  into  Bucharia. 

The  day  of  Lalla  Rookh's  departure  from  Delhi 
was  as  splendid  as  sunshine  and  pageantry  could 
make  it.  The  bazaars  and  baths  were  all  covered 
with  the  richest  tapestry  ;  hundreds  of  gilded  barges 
upon  the  Jumna  floated  with  their  banners  shining 
in  the  water ;  while  through  the  streets  groups  of 
beautiful  children  went  strewing  the  most  delicious 
flowers  around,  as  in  that  Persian  festival_called  the 
Scattering  of  the  Roses  ;  ®  till  every  part  of  the  city 
was  as  fragrant  as  if  a  caravan  of  musk  from  Khoten 
had  passed  through  it.  The  Princess,  having  taken 
leave  of  her  kind  father,  who  at  parting  hung  a  cor- 
nelian of  Yemen  round  her  neck,  on  which  was  in- 
scribed a  verse  from  the  Koran,  and  having  sent  a 
considerable  present  to  the  Fakirs,  who  kept  up  the 
Perpetual  Lamp  in  her  sister's  tomb,  meekly  as- 
cended the  palankeen  prepared  for  her ;  and  while 
Aurungzebe  stood  to  take  a  last  look  from  his  bal- 
cony, the  jDrocession  moved  slowly  on  the  road  to 
Lahore. 

Seldom  had  the  Eastern  world  seen  a  cavalcade 
so  superb.  From  the  gardens  in  the  suburbs  to  the 
Liiperial  palace,  it  was  one  unbroken  line  of  splen- 
dor. The  gallant  appearance  of  the  Rajahs  and 
Mogul  Lords,  distinguished  by  those  insignia  of  the 


LALLA   ROOKH.  19 

Emperor's  favor,^  the  feathers  of  the  egret  of  Cash- 
mei'e  in  their  turbans,  and  the  small  silver-rimmed 
kettle-drums  at  the  bows  of  their  saddles  ;  the  costly 
armor  of  their  cavaliers,  who  vied  on  this  occasion 
Avith  the  guards  of  the  great  Keder  Khan  ^  in  the 
brightness  of  their  silver  battle-axes  and  the  massi- 
ness  of  their  maces  of  gold  ;  the  glittering  of  the 
gilt  pine-apples  ^  on  the  tops  of  the  palankeens ;  the 
embroidered  trappings  of  the  elephants,  bearing 
on  their  backs  small  turrets,  in  the  shape  of  little 
antique  temples,  within  which  the  ladies  of  Lalla 
RooKH  lay  as  it  were  enshrined ;  the  rose-colored 
veils  of  the  Princess's  own  sumptuous  litter,^°  at  the 
front  of  which  a  fair  young  female  slave  sat  fanning 
her  through  the  curtains,  with  feathers  of  the  Argus 
pheasant's  -wing ;  "  and  the  lovely  troop  of  Tar- 
tarian and  Cashmerian  maids  of  honor,  Avhom  the 
young  King  had  sent  to  accompany  his  bride,  and 
who  rode  on  each  side  of  the  litter  upon  small  Ara- 
bian horses ;  —  all  was  brilliant,  tasteful,  and  mag- 
nificent, and  pleased  even  the  critical  and  fastidious 
Fadladeen,  Great  Nazir  or  Chamberlain  of  the 
Harem,  who  was  borne  in  his  palankeen  immedi- 
ately after  the  Princess,  and  considered  himself  not 
the  least  important  personage  of  the  pageant. 

Fadladeen  was  a  judge  of  everything,  —  from 
the  pencilling  of  a  Circassian's  eyelids  to  the  deepest 
questions  of  science  and  literature  ;  from  the  mixt- 
ure of  a  conserve  of  rose-leaves  to  the  composition 


20  LALLA   ROOKH. 

of  an  epic  poem  ;  and  such  influence  had  his  opinion 
upon  the  various  tastes  of  the  day,  that  all  the  cooks 
and  poets  of  Delhi  stood  in  awe  of  him.  His  polit- 
ical conduct  and  opinions  were  foinided  upon  that 
line  of  Sadi,  "  Should  the  Prince  at  noonday  say,  It  is 
night,  declai'e  that  you  behold  the  moon  and  stars." 
And  his  zeal  for  religion,  of  which  Aurungzebe  was 
a  nuniificent  protector,^'  was  about  as  disinterested 
as  that  of  the  goldsmith  who  fell  in  love  with  the 
diamond  eyes  of  the  idol  of  Jaghernaut.^^ 

During  the  first  days  of  their  journey,  Lalla 
RooKH,  who  had  passed  all  her  life  within  the 
shadow  of  the  Royal  Gardens  of  Delhi,^^  found 
enough  in  the  beauty  of  the  scenery  through  which 
they  passed  to  interest  her  mind  and  delight  her 
imagination  ;  and  when  at  evening  or  in  the  heat  of 
the  day  they  turned  off  from  the  high  road  to  those 
retired  and  romantic  places  which  had  been  selected 
for  her  encampments,  —  sometimes  on  the  banks  of  a 
small  rivulet,  as  clear  as  the  waters  of  the  Lake  of 
Pearl ;  ^^  sometimes  under  the  sacred  shade  of  a 
banyan-tree,  from  which  the  view  opened  upon  a 
glade  covered  with  antelopes ;  and  often  in  those 
hidden,  embowered  spots,  described  by  one  from  the 
Isles  of  the  West,^**  as  "  places  of  melancholy,  delight, 
and  safety,  Avhere  all  the  company  aroimd  was  wild 
peacocks  and  turtle-doves  ;  "  —  she  felt  a  charm  in 
these  scenes,  so  lovely  and  so  new  to  her,  which,  for 
a  time,  made  her  indifferent  to  every  other  amuse- 
ment.    But  Lalla    Rookh  was    young,    and    the 


LALLA  ROOKH.  21 

young  love  variety ;  nor  could  the  conversation  of 
her  ladies  and  the  Great  Chamberlain,  Fadladeen, 
(the  only  persons,  of  course,  admitted  to  her  pavil- 
ion,) sufficiently  enliven  those  many  vacant  hours 
which  were  devoted  neither  to  the  pillow  nor  the 
palankeen.  There  was  a  little  Persian  slave  who 
sung  sweetly  to  the  Vina,  and  who  now  and  then 
lulled  the  Princess  to  sleep  with  the  ancient  ditties 
of  her  country,  about  the  loves  of  Wamak  and  Ezra,^'' 
the  fair-haired  Zal  and  his  mistress  Rodahver ;  ^^  not 
forgetting  the  combat  of  Rustam  with  the  terrible 
White  Demon.^^  At  other  times  she  was  amused 
by  those  graceful  dancing-girls  of  Delhi,  who  had 
been  permitted  by  the  Bramins  of  the  great  Pagoda 
to  attend  her,  much  to  the  horror  of  the  good  Mus- 
sulman Fadladeen,  who  could  see  nothing  grace- 
ful or  agreeable  in  idolaters,  and  to  whom  the  very 
tinkling  of  their  golden  anklets  -"  was  an  abomina- 
tion. 

But  these  and  many  other  diversions  were  repeat- 
ed till  they  lost  all  their  charm,  and  the  nights  and 
noondays  were  beginning  to  move  heavily,  when  at 
length  it  was  recollected  that  among  the  attendants 
sent  by  the  bridegroom,  was  a  young  poet  of  Cash- 
mere, much  celebrated  throughout  the  valley  for 
his  manner  of  reciting  the  stories  of  the  East,  on 
whom  his  royal  master  had  conferred  the  privilege 
of  being  admitted  to  the  pa\'ilion  of  the  Princess, 
that  he  might  help  to  beguile  the  tediousness  of  the 


22  LALLA   EOOKH. 

journey  by  some  of  his  most  agreeable  recitals.  At 
the  mention  of  a  poet,  Fadladeen  elevated  his  crit- 
ical eyebrows,  and,  having  refreshed  his  faculties 
with  a  dose  of  that  delicious  opium  '^^  which  is  dis- 
tilled from  the  black  poppy  of  the  Thebais,  gave  or- 
ders for  the  minstrel  to  be  forthwith  introduced  into 
the  presence. 

The  Princess,  who  had  once  in  her  life  seen  a  poet 
from  behind  the  screens  of  gauze  in  her  father's 
hall,  and  had  conceived  from  that  specimen  no  very 
favorable  ideas  of  the  caste,  expected  but  little  in 
this  new  exhibition  to  interest  her ;  she  felt  inclined, 
however,  to  alter  her  opinion  on  the  very  first  appear- 
ance of  Feramorz.  He  was  a  youth  about  Lalla 
Rookh's  own  age,  and  graceful  as  that  idol  of  wo- 
men, Chrishna,^'^  —  such  as  he  appears  to  their  young 
imaginations,  —  heroic,  beautiful,  breathing  music 
from  his  very  eyes,  and  exalting  the  religion  of  his 
worshippers  into  love.  His  dress  was  simple,  yet 
not  without  some  marks  of  costliness  ;  and  the  ladies 
of  the  Princess  were  not  long  in  discovering  that 
the  cloth  which  encircled  his  high  Tartarian  cap 
was  of  the  most  delicate  kind  that  the  shawl-goats  of 
Tibet  supply.^^  Here  and  there,  too,  over  his  vest, 
which  was  confined  by  a  flowered  girdle  of  Kashan, 
hung  strings  of  fine  pearl,  disposed  Avith  an  air  of 
studied  negligence  ;  nor  did  the  exquisite  embroid- 
ery of  his  sandals  escape  the  observation  of  these 
fair  critics  ;  who,  however  they  might  give  wav  to 


LALLA   ROOKH.  23 

Fadladeen  upon  the  unimportant  toi)ics  of  religion 
and  government,  had  the  spirit  of  martyrs  in  every- 
thing relating  to  such  momentous  matters  as  jewels 
and  embroidery. 

For  the  purpose  of  relieving  the  pauses  of  recita- 
tion by  music,  the  young  Cashmerian  held  in  his 
hand  a  kitar,  —  such  as,  in  old  times,  the  Arab  maids 
of  the  West  used  to  listen  to  by  moonlight  in  the 
gardens  of  the  Alhambra ;  and  having  premised, 
with  nnich  humility,  that  the  story  he  was  about  to 
relate  was  founded  on  the  adventures  of  that  Veiled 
Prophet  of  Khorassan,"^*  who,  in  the  year  of  the 
Hegira  163,  created  such  alarm  throughout  the 
Eastern  Empire,  made  an  obeisance  to  the  Prin- 
cess, and  thus  beaan  :  — • 


THE 

VEILED    PROPHET   OF   KHORASSAN.'^s 


In  that  delightful  Province  of  the  Sun, 

The  first  of  Persian  lands  he  shines  upon, 

Where  all  the  loveliest  children  of  his  beam, 

Flow'rets  and  fruits,  blush  over  every  stream,"-^® 

And,  fairest  of  all  streams,  the  Murga  roves 

Among  Merou's  '^''  bright  palaces  and  groves  ;  — 

There  on  that  throne,  to  which  the  blind  belief 

Of  millions  raised  him,  sat  the  Prophet-Chief, 

The  great  Mokanna.     O'er  his  features  hung 

The  Veil,  the  Silver  Veil,  which  he  had  flung 

In  mercy  there,  to  hide  from  mortal  sight 

Plis  dazzling  brow,  till  man  could  bear  its  light. 

For,  far  less  luminous,  his  votaries  said. 

Were  even  the  gleams,  miraculously  shed 

O'er  ]\Ioussa's  "^^  cheek,^^  when  down  the  Mount  he 

trod, 
All  glowing  from  the  presence  of  his  God  ! 

On  either  side,  with  ready  hearts  and  hands. 


VEILED  PROPHET   OF    KHORASSAN.  25 

His  chosen  guard  of  bold  Believers  stands ; 
Young  fire-eyed  disputants,  who  deem  their  swords, 
On  points  of  faith,  more  eloquent  than  words ; 
And  such  their  zeal,  there  's  not  a  youth  with  brand 
Uplifted  there,  but,  at  the  Chief's  command, 
Would  make  his  own  devoted  heart  its  sheath. 
And  bless  the  lips  that  doomed  so  dear  a  death  ! 
In  hatred  to  the  Caliph's  hue  of  night,^° 
Their  vesture,  helms  and  all,  is  snowy  white  ; 
Their  weapons  various  —  some  equipped  for  speed, 
With  javelins  of  the  light  Kathaian  reed  ;  ^^ 
Or  bows  of  buffalo-horn  and  shining  quivers 
Filled  with  the  stems  ^^  that  bloom  on  Iran's  rivers  ;^^ 
"V\niile  some,  for  war's  more  terrible  attacks. 
Wield  the  huge  mace  and  ponderous  battle-axe ; 
And  as  they  wave  aloft  in  morning's  beam 
The  milk-white  plumage  of  their  helms,  they  seem 
Like  a  chenar-tree  grove  ^*  when  winter  throws 
O'er  all  its  tufted  heads  his  feathering  snows. 

Between  the  porphyry  pillars,  that  uphold 
The  rich  moresque-work  of  the  roof  of  gold, 
Aloft  the  Harem's  curtained  galleries  rise. 
Where  through  the  silken  net-work,  glancing  eyes. 
From  time  to  time,  like  sudden  gleams  that  glow 
Through  autumn  clouds,  shine  o'er  the  pomp  below. 
What  impious  tongue,  ye  blushing  saints,  would  dare 
To  hint  that  aught  but  Heaven  hath  placed  you  there  ? 
Or  that  the  loves  of  this  light  world  could  bind. 
In  their  gross  chain,  your  Prophet's  soaring  mind  ? 


26  LALLA   ROOKH. 

No— wrongful  thought ! — commissioned  from  above 
To  people  Eden's  bowers  with  shapes  of  love, 
(Creatures  so  bright,  that  the  same  lips  and  eyes 
They  wear  on  earth  will  serve  in  Paradise,) 
There  to  recline  among  Heaven's  native  maids, 
And  crown  th'  Elect  with  bliss  that  never  fades  — 
"Well  hath  the  Prophet-Chief  his  bidding  done  ; 
And  every  beauteous  race  beneath  the  sun, 
From  those  who  kneel  at  Brahma's  burning  founts,^^ 
To  the  fresh  nymphs  bounding  o'er  Yemen's  mounts ; 
From  Persia's  eyes  of  full  and  fawnlike  ray, 
To  the  small,  half-shut  glances  of  Kathay  ;  ^® 
And  Georgia's  bloom,  and  Azab's  darker  smiles, 
And  the  gold  ringlets  of  the  Western  Isles  ; 
All,  all  are  there  ;  —  each  land  its  flower  hath  given. 
To  form  that  fair  young  Nursery  for  Heaven  ! 

But  why  this  ^lageant  now  ?  this  armed  array  ? 
AVliat  triumph  crowds  the  rich  Divan  to-day 
With  turbaned  heads,  of  every  hue  and  race. 
Bowing  before  that  veiled  and  awful  face, 
Like  tulip-beds  ^^  of  different  shape  and  dyes, 
Bending  beneath  th'  invisible  West-wind's  sighs  ! 
What  new-made  mystery  now,  for  Faith  to  sign. 
And  blood  to  seal,  as  genuine  and  divine, 
"Wliat  dazzling  mimicry  of  God's  own  power 
Hath  the  bold  Prophet  planned  to  grace  this  hour  ? 

Not  such  the  pageant  now,  though  not  less  proud ; 
Yon  warrior  youth,  advancing  from  the  crowd, 


VEILED   PROPHET    OF   KHORASSAN.  27 

With  silver  bow,  with  belt  of  broidered  crape, 
And  fur-bound  bonnet  of  Bucharian  shape,^* 
So  fiercely  beautiful  in  form  and  eye, 
Like  war's  wild  planet  in  a  sunnner  sky ; 
That  youth  to-day,  —  a  proselyte,  worth  hordes 
Of  cooler  spirits  and  less  practised  swords,  — 
Is  come  to  join,  all  bravery  and  belief, 
The  creed  and  standard  of  the  heaven-sent  Chief 

Though  few  his  years,  the  West  already  knows 
Young  Azim's  fame  ;  —  beyond  th'  Olympian  snows 
Ere  manhood  darkened  o'er  his  downy  cheek, 
O'erwhelmed  in  fight  and  captive  to  the  Greek,^^ 
He  ling(3red  there,  till  peace  dissolved  his  chains  :  — 
Oh,  who  could,  even  in  bondage,  tread  the  i^lains 
Of  glorious  Greece,  nor  feel  his  spirit  rise 
Kindling  within  him  ?  who,  with  heart  and  eyes, 
Could  walk  where  Liberty  had  been,  nor  see 
The  shining  footprints  of  her  Deity, 
Nor  feel  those  godlike  breathings  in  the  air, 
Wliich  mutely  told  her  spirit  had  been  there  ? 
Not  he,  that  youthful  warrior,  —  no,  too  well 
For  his  sovU's  quiet  worked  th'  awakening  spell ; 
And  now,  returning  to  his  own  dear  land. 
Full  of  those  dreams  of  good  that,  vainly  grand, 
Haunt  the  young  heart,  —  proud  views  of  human- 
kind, 
Of  men  to  Gods  exalted  and  refined,  — 
False  views,  like  that  horizon's  fair  deceit, 
Where  earth  and  heaven  but  seem,  alas,  to  meet !  — 


28  LALLA  ROOKH. 

Soon  as  he  heard  an  Arm  Divine  was  raised 
To  right  the  nations,  and  beheld,  emblazed 
On  the  white  flag  Mokanna's  host  unfurled. 
Those  words  of  sunshine,  "  Freedom  to  the  World," 
At  once  his  faith,  his  sword,  his  soul  obeyed 
Th'  inspiring  sununons  ;  every  chosen  blade 
That  fought  beneath  that  banner's  sacred  text 
Seemed  doubly  edged,  for  this  world  and  the  next ; 
And  ne'er  did  Faith  with  her  smooth  bandage  bind 
Eyes  more  devoutly  willing  to  be  blind, 
In  virtue's  cause  ;  —  never  was  soul  inspired 
With  livelier  trust  in  what  it  most  desired. 
Than  his,  th'  enthusiast  there,  who  kneeling,  pale 
AVith  pious  awe,  before  that  Silver  Veil, 
Believes  the  form,  to  which  fie  bends  his  knee, 
Some  pure,  i*edeeming  angel,  sent  to  free 
This  fettered  world  from  every  bond  and  stain, 
And  bring  its  primal  glories  back  again  ! 

Low  as  young  Azim  knelt,  that  motley  crowd 
Of  all  earth's  nations  sunk  the  knee  and  bowed. 
With  shouts  of  "  Alla  !  "  echoing  long  and  loud  ; 
While  high  in  air,  above  the  Prophet's  head. 
Hundreds  of  banners,  to  the  sunbeam  spread. 
Waved,  like  the  wings  of  the  white  birds  that  fan 
The  flying  throne  of  star-taught  Soliman.*° 
Then  thus  he  spoke  :  —  "  Stranger,  though  new  the 

frame 
"  Thy  soul  inhabits  now,  I  've  tracked  its  flame 
''  For  many  an  age,^^  in  every  chance  and  change 


VEILED   PROPHET   OF   KHORASSAN.  29 

"  Of  that  existence,  through  whose  varied  range,  — 
"  As  through  a  torch-race,  where,  from  hand  to  hand 
"  The  flying  youths  transmit  their  sliining  brand, 
"  From  frame  to  frame  the  unextinguished  soul 
"  Rapidly  passes,  till  it  reach  the  goal ! 

"  Nor  think  't  is  only  the  gross  Spirits,  warmed 
"  AVith  duskier  fire  and  for  earth's  medium  formed, 
"  That  run  this  course  ;  —  Beings,  the  most  divine, 
"  Thus  deign  through  dark  mortality  to  shine. 
"  Such  was  the  Essence  that  in  Adam  dwelt, 
"  To   which   all    Heaven,   except   the   Proud   One, 

knelt :  ^2 
"  Such  the  refined  Intelligence  that  glowed 
"  In  Moussa's  '^^  frame,  —  and,  thence  descending, 

flowed 
"  Through  many  a  Prophet's  breast ;  *■*  —  in  Issa*^ 

shone, 
"  And  in  MoiiAiiMED  burned ;  till,  hastening  on, 
"  (As  a  bright  river  that,  from  fall  to  fall 
"  In  many  a  maze  descending,  bright  through  all, 
"  Finds  some  fair  region  where,  each  labyrinth  past, 
"  In  one  full  lake  of  light  it  rests  at  last !) 
"  That  Holy  Spirit,  settling  calm  and  free 
"  From  lapse  or  shadow,  centres  all  in  me  !  " 

Again,  throughout  th'  assembly  at  these  words. 
Thousands  of  voices  rung :  the  warriors'  swords 
Were  pointed  up  to  heaven  ;  a  sudden  wind 
In  th'  open  banners  played,  and  from  behind 


30  LALLA   ROOKH. 

Those  Persian  hangings,  that  but  ill  could  screen 
The  Harem's  loveliness,  white  hands  were  seen 
Waving  embroidered  scarfs,  whose  motion  gave 
A  perfume  forth  —  like  those  the  Houries  wave 
When  beck'ning  to  their  bowers  th'  immortal  Brave. 

"  But  these,"  jjursued  the  Chief,  "  are  truths  sub- 
lime, 
"  That  claim  a  holier  mood  and  calmer  time 
"  Than  earth  allows  us  now  ;  —  this  sword  must  first 
"  The  darkling  prison-house  of  Mankind  biu'st, 
"  Ere  Peace  can  visit  them,  or  Truth  let  in 
"  Her  wakening  daylight  on  a  world  of  sin. 
'•  But  then,  celestial  warriors,  then,  when  all 
"  Earth's  shrines  and  thrones  before  our  banner  fall ; 
''  When  the  glad  Slave  shall  at  these  feet  lay  down 
''  His  broken  chain,  the  tyrant  Lord  his  crown, 
"  The  Priest  his  book,  the  Conqueror  his  wreath, 
"  And  from  the  lips  of  Truth  one  mighty  breath 
''  Shall,  like  a  whirlwind,  scatter  in  its  breeze 
"  That  whole  dark  pile  of  human  mockeries  ;  — 
"  Then  shall  the  reign  of  mind  commence  on  earth, 
"  And  stalling  fresh  as  from  a  second  birth, 
"  Man,  in  the  sunshine  of  the  world's  new  spring, 
"  Shall  walk  transparent,  like  some  holy  thing  ! 
"  Then,  too,  your  Prophet  from  his  angel  brow 
"  Shall  cast  the  Veil  that  hides  its  splendors  now, 
"  And  gladdened  Earth  shall,  through  her  wide  ex- 
panse, 
"  Bask  in  the  glories  of  this  countenance  ! 


VEILED  PROPHET  OF   KHORASSAN.  31 

"  For  thee,  young  warrior,  welcome  !  —  thou  hast  yet 
"  Some  tasks  to  learn,  some  frailties  to  forget, 
"  Ere  the  white  war-plume  o'er  thy  brow  can  wave  ; 
"  But,  once  njy  own,  mine  all  till  in  the  grave  !  " 

The  pomp  is  at  an  end  —  the  crowds  are  gone  — 
Each  ear  and  heart  still  haunted  by  the  tone 
Of  that  deep  voice,  which  thrilled  likg  Alla's  own  ! 
The  yoimg  all  dazzled  by  the  plumes  and  lances, 
The    glittering    throne,    and    Harem's    half-caught 

glances  ; 
The  old  deep  pondering  on  the  promised  reign 
Of  peace  and  truth  ;  and  all  the  female  train 
Eeady  to  risk  their  eyes,  could  they  but  gaze 
A  moment  on  that  brow's  miraculous  blaze  ! 

But  thex'e  was  one,  among  the  chosen  maids, 
Who  blushed  behind  the  gallery's  silken  shades. 
One,  to  whose  soul  the  pageant  of  to-day 
Has  been  like  death  :  —  you  saw  her  pale  dismay, 
Ye  wondering  sisterhood,  and  heard  the  burst 
Of  exclamation  from  her  lips,  when  first 
She  saw  that  youth,  too  well,  too  dearly  known, 
Silently  kneeling  at  the  Prophet's  throne. 

Ah  Zelica  !  there  was  a  time,  when  bliss 
Shone  o'er  thy  heart  from  every  look  of  his  ; 
When  but  to  see  him,  hear  him,  breathe  the  air 
In  which  he  dwelt,  was  thy  soul's  fondest  prayer ; 
When  round  him  hung  such  a  perjietual  spell, 


32  LALLA    ROOKIT. 

Whate'ei*  he  did,  none  ever  did  so  well. 

Too  happy  days  !   when,  if  he  touched  a  flower 

Or  gem  of  thine,  't  was  sacred  from  that  hour ; 

When  thou  didst  study  him  till  every  tone 

And  gesture  and  dear  look  became  thy  own,  — 

Thy  voice  like  his,  the  changes  of  his  face 

In  thine  reflected  with  still  lovelier  grace, 

Like  echo,  sending  back  sweet  music,  fraught 

With  twice  th'  aerial  sweetness  it  had  brought ! 

Yet  now  he  comes,  —  brighter  than  even  he 

E'er  beamed  before,  —  but,  ah  !  not  bright  for  thee  ; 

No  —  dread,  unlocked  for,  like  a  visitant 

From  th'  other  world,  he  comes  as  if  to  haunt 

Thy  guilty  soul  with  dreams  of  lost  delight. 

Long  lost  to  all  but  memory's  aching  sight :  — 

Sad  dreams  !  as  when  the  Spirit  of  our  Youth 

Returns  in  sleep,  sparkling  with  all  the  truth 

And  innocence  once  ours,  and  leads  us  back, 

Li  mournful  mockery,  o'er  the  shining  track 

Of  our  young  life,  and  points  out  every  ray 

Of  hope  and  peace  we  've  lost  upon  the  way ! 

Once  happy  pair  !  —  In  proud  Bokhara's  groves, 
Who  had  not  heard  of  their  first  youthful  loves  ? 
Born  by  that  ancient  flood,**"'  which  from  its  spring 
In  the  dark  Mountains  swiftly  wandering. 
Enriched  by  every  pilgrim  brook  that  shines 
With  relics  from  Bucharia's  ruby  mines, 
And,  lending  to  the  Caspian  half  its  strength, 
In  the  cold  Lake  of  Eagles  sinks  at  length ;  — 


VEILED    PKOPHET    OF    KIIOKASSAN.  33 

There,  on  the  banks  of  that  briglit  river  born, 
The  flowers,  that  hung  above  its  wave  at  morn, 
Blessed  not  the  waters,  as  they  murmured  by. 
With  hoHer  scent  and  histre,  than  the  sigh 
And  virgin-glance  of  fii-st  affection  cast 
Upon  their  youth's  smooth  current,  as  it  jiassed ! 
But  war  distui'bed  this  vision,  —  far  away 
From  her  fond  eyes  summoned  to  join  th'  array 
Of  Persia's  warriors  on  the  hills  of  Thrace, 
The  youth  exchanged  his  sylvan  dwelling-place 
For  the  rude  tent  and  war-field's  deathful  clash ; 
His  Zelica's  sweet  glances  for  the  flash 
Of  Grecian  wildfire,  and  Love's  gentle  chains 
For  bleeding  bondage  on  Byzantium's  plains. 

Month  after  month,  in  widowhood  of  som 
Drooping,  the  maiden  saw  two  summers  roll 
Their  suns  away  —  but  ah  !  how  cold  and  dim 
Even  summer  suns,  when  not  beheld  with  him  ! 
From  time  to  time  ill-omened  rumors  came. 
Like  spirit-tongues,  nuitt'ring  the  sick  man's  name, 
Just  ere  he  dies  :  —  at  length  those  sounds  of  dread 
Fell  with'ring  on  her  soul,  "  Azim  is  dead  !  " 
Oh  grief,  beyond  all  other  griefs,  when  fate 
First  leaves  the  young  heart  lone  and  desolate 
In  the  wide  world,  without  that  only  tie 
For  which  it  loved  to  live  or  feared  to  die  ;  — 
Lorn  as  the  hung-up  lute,  that  ne'er  hath  spoken 
Since  the  sad  days  its  master-chord  was  broken  ! 
Fond  maid,  the  sorrow  of  her  soul  was  such, 
3 


34  LALLA   ROOKH. 

Even  reason  sunk,  —  blighted  beneath  its  touch  ; 
And  though,  ere  long,  her  sanguine  spirit  rose 
Above  the  first  dead  jiressure  of  its  woes. 
Though    health   and   bloom    returned,  the  delicate 

chain 
Of  thought,  once  tangled,  never  cleared  again. 
Warm,  lively,  soft  as  in  youth's  happiest  day. 
The  mind  was  still  all  there,  but  tvu-ned  astray ;  — 
A  wand'ring  bark,  upon  whose  pathway  shone 
All  stars  of  heaven,  except  the  guiding  one ! 
Again  she  smiled,  nay,  much  and  brightly  smiled, 
But 't  was  a  lustre  strange,  unreal,  wild ; 
And  when  she  sung  to  her  lute's  touching  strain, 
'T  was  like  the  notes,  half  ecstasy,  half  pain. 
The  bulbul  *'^  utters,  ere  her  soul  depart, 
When,  vanquished  by  some  minstrel's  powerful  art, 
She  dies  upon  the  lute  whose  sweetness  broke  her 

heart ! 

Such  was  the  mood  in  which  that  mission  found 
Young  Zelica,  —  that  mission,  w^hich,  around 
The  Eastern  world,  in  every  region  blest 
With  woman's  smile,  sought  out  its  loveliest, 
To  grace  that  galaxy  of  lips  and  eyes 
Which  the  Veiled  Prophet  destined  for  the  skies :  — 
And  such  quick  welcome  as  a  spark  receives 
Dropped  on  a  bed  of  Autumn's  withered  leaves. 
Did  every  tale  of  these  enthusiasts  find 
In  the  wild  maiden's  sorrow-blighted  mirid. 
All  fire  at  once  the  madd'ning  zeal  she  caught ;  — 


VEILED  PROPHET  OF  KHORASSAN.       35 

Elect  of  Paradise  !  blest,  rapturous  thought ! 

Predestined  bride,  in  heaven's  eternal  dome. 

Of   some  brave    youth  —  ha !    durst    they  say  "  of 

some  f  " 
No  —  of  the  one,  one  only  object  traced 
In  her  heart's  core  too  deep  to  be  effaced ; 
The  one  whose  memory,  fresh  as  life,  is  twined 
With  every  broken  link  of  her  lost  mind  ; 
Whose  image  lives,  though  Reason's  self  be  wrecked. 
Safe  'mid  the  ruins  of  her  intellect ! 

Alas,  poor  Zelica  !  it  needed  all 
The  fantasy,  which  held  thy  mind  in  thrall, 
To  see  in  that  gay  Harem's  glowing  maids 
A  sainted  colony  for  Eden's  shades ; 
Or  dream  that  he  —  of  whose  unholy  flame 
Thou  wert  too  soon  the  victim  —  shining  came 
P'rom  Paradise,  to  people  its  pure  sphere 
With  souls  like  thine,  which  he  hath  ruined  here  ! 
No  —  had  not  Reason's  light  totally  set, 
And  left  thee  dark,  thou  hadst  an  amulet 
In  the  loved  image,  graven  on  thy  heart, 
Which  would  have  saved  thee  from  the  tempter's  art. 
And  kept  alive,  in  all  its  bloom  of  breath, 
That  purity,  whose  fading  is  love's  death  !  — 
But  lost,  inflamed,  —  a  restless  zeal  took  place 
Of  the  mild  virgin's  still  and  feminine  grace  ; 
First  of  the  Prophet's  favorites,  proudly  first 
In  zeal  and  charms,  —  too  well  th'  Impostor  nursed 
Her  soul's  delirium,  in  whose  active  flame, 


86  LALLA    KOOKH. 

Thus  lighting  up  a  young,  hixuriant  frame, 
He  saw  more  potent  sorceries  to  bind 
To  his  dark  yoke  the  spirits  of  mankind, 
More  subtle  chains  than  hell  itself  e'er  twined. 
No  art  was  spared,  no  witcliery ;  —  all  the  skill 
His  demons  taught  him  was  employed  to  fill 
Her  mind  with  gloom  and  ecstasy  by  turns,  — 
That  gloom,  through  which  Frenzy  but  fiercer  burns  ; 
That  ecstasy,  which  from  the  depth  of  sadness 
Glares  like  the  maniac's  moon,  whose  light  is  mad- 
ness. 

'T  was  from  a  brilliant  banquet,  where  the  soimd 
Of  poesy  and  music  breathed  around, 
Together  picturing  to  her  mind  and  ear 
The  glories  of  that  heaven,  her  destined  sphere, 
Where  all  was  pure,  where  every  stain  that  lay 
Upon  the  spirit's  light  should  pass  away, 
And,  realizing  more  than  youthfid  love 
E'er  wished  or  dreamed,  she  should  forever  rove 
Through  fields  of  fragrance  by  her  Azim's  side. 
His  own  blessed,  purified,  eternal  bride  !  — 
'T  was  from  a  scene,  a  witching  trance  like  this. 
He  hurried  her  away,  yet  breathing  bliss. 
To  the  dim  charnel-house  ;  —  through  all  its  steams 
Of  damp  and  death,  led  only  by  those  gleams 
"\Vliich  foul  Corruption  lights,  as  with  design 
To  show  the  gay  and  proud  she  too  can  shine,  — 
And,  passing  on  through  upright  ranks  of  Dead, 
Which  to  the  maiden,  doubly  crazed  by  dread, 


VEILED   PROPHET   OF   KHORASSAN.  37 

Seemed,  tlirough  the  bluish  death-Ught  round  them 

cast, 
To  move  their  lipvS  in  mutterings  as  she  passed,  — 
There,  in  that  awful  place,  when  each  had  quaffed 
And  pledged  in  silence  such  a  fearful  draught. 
Such  —  oh  !   the  look  and  taste  of  that  red  bowl 
Will  haunt  her  till  she  dies  —  he  bound  her  soul 
By  a  dark  oath,  in  hell's  own  language  framed, 
Never,  while  earth  his  mystic  presence  claimed. 
While  the  blue  arch  of  day  hung  o'er  them  both, 
Never,  by  that  all-imprecating  oath, 
In  joy  or  sorrow  from  his  side  to  sever.  — 
She  swore,  and  the  wide  charnel  echoed,  "Never, 

never  ! " 

From  that  dread  hour,  entirely,  wildly  given 
To  him  and  —  she  believed,  lost  maid !  —  to  Heaven ; 
Her  brain,  her  heart,  her  passions  all  inflamed. 
How  proud  she  stood,  when  in  full  Harem  named 
The  Priestess  of  the  Faith  !  —  how  flashed  her  eyes 
With  light,  alas,  that  was  not  of  the  skies. 
When  round,  in  trances,  only  less  than  hers. 
She  saw  the  Harem  kneel,  her  prostrate  worshippers  ! 
Well  might  Mokanna  think  that  form  alone 
Had  spells  enough  to  make  the  world  his  own :  — 
Light,  lovely  limbs,  to  which  the  spirit's  play 
Gave  motion,  airy  as  the  dancing  spray. 
When  from  its  stem  the  small  bird  wings  away ; 
Lips  in  whose  rosy  labyrinth,  when  she  smiled, 
The  soul  was  lost ;  and  blushes,  swift  and  wild 


38  LALLA   ROOKH. 

As  are  the  momentary  meteors  sent 

Across  th'  uncalm,  but  beauteous  firmament. 

And  then  her  look  —  oh !  where 's  the  heart  so  wise 

Could  unbewildered  meet  those  matchless  eyes  ? 

Quick,  restless,  strange,  but  exquisite  withal, 

Like  those  of  angels,  just  before  their  fall ; 

Now  shadowed  with  the  shames  of  earth  —  now  crost 

By  glimpses  of  the  Heaven  her  heart  had  lost ; 

In  every  glance  there  broke,  without  control, 

The  flashes  of  a  bright,  but  troubled  soul. 

Where  sensibility  still  wildly  played, 

Like  lightning,  round  the  ruins  it  had  made ! 

And  such  was  now  young  Zelica  —  so-changed 
From  her  who,  some  years  since,  delighted  ranged 
The  almond  groves  that  shade  Bokhara's  tide, 
All  life  and  bliss,  with  Azim  by  her  side  ! 
So  altered  was  she  now,  this  festal  day. 
When,  'mid  the  proud  Divan's  dazzling  array, 
The  vision  of  that  Youth  whom  she  had  loved, 
Had  wept  as  dead,  before  her  breathed  and  moved ; 
Wlien  —  bright,  she  thought,  as  if  from  Eden's  track 
But  half-way  trodden,  he  had  wandered  back 
Again  to  earth,  glistening  with  Eden's  light  — 
Her  beauteous  Azim  shone  before  her  sight. 

O  Reason  !  who  shall  say  what  spells  renew. 
When  least  we  look  for  it,  thy  broken  clew ! 
Through  what  small  vistas  o'er  the  darkened  brain 
Thy  intellectual  day-beam  bursts  again ; 


VEILED   rEOPIIET   OF   KHORASSAN.  39 

And  how,  like  forts,  to  wliich  beleagiierers  win 
Unhoped-for  entrance  through  some  friend  within, 
One  clear  idea,  wakened  in  the  breast 
By  memory's  magic,  lets  in  all  the  rest. 
Would  it  were  thus,  imhappy  girl,  with  thee  ! 
But  though  light  came,  it  came  but  partially ; 
Enough  to  show  the  maze,  in  which  thy  sense 
Wandered  about,  —  but  not  U)  guide  it  thence  ; 
Enough  to  glimmer  o'er  the  yawning  wave, 
But  not  to  point  the  harbor  which  might  save. 
Hours  of  delight  and  peace,  long  left  behind, 
With  that  dear  form  came  rushing  o'er  her  mind ; 
But,  oh  !  to  think  how  deep  her  soul  had  gone 
In  shame  and  falsehood  since  those  moments  shone ; 
And,  then,  her  oath  —  there  madness  lay  again, 
Aiid,  shuddering,  back  she  sunk  into  her  chain 
Of  mental  darkness,  as  if  blest  to  flee 
From  light,  whose  every  glimpse  was  agony  ! 
Yet,  one  relief  this  glance  of  former  years 
Brought,  mingled  with  its  pain,  —  teai-s,  floods  of 

tears. 
Long  frozen  at  her  heart,  but  now  like  rills 
Let  loose  in  springtime  from  the  snowy  hills. 
And  gushing  warm,  after  a  sleep  of  frost, 
Through  valleys  where  their  flow  had  long  been  lost. 

Sad  and  subdued,  for  the  first  time  her  frame 
Trembled  with  horror,  when  the  summons  came 
(A  summons  proud  and  rare,  which  all  but  she, 
And  she,  till  now,  had  heard  with  ecstasy,) 


40  LALLA   ROOKH. 

To  meet  Mokanna  at  his  place  of  prayer, 
A  garden  oratory,  cool  and  fair. 
By  the  stream's  side,  where  still  at  close  of  day 
The  Prophet  of  the  Veil  retired  to  pray ; 
Sometimes  alone  —  but,  oftener  far,  with  one. 
One  chosen  nymph  to  share  his  orison. 

Of  late  none  found  such  favor  in  his  sight 
As  the  young  Priestess  ;  and  though,  since  that  night 
When  the  death-caverns  echoed  every  tone 
Of  the  dire  oath  that  made  her  all  his  own, 
Th'  Impostor,  sure  of  his  infatuate  prize. 
Had,  more  than  once,  thrown  off  his  soul's  disguise, 
And  uttered  such  unheavenly,  monstrous  things, 
As  even  across  the  desp'rate  wanderings 
Of  a  weak  intellect,  whose  lamp  was  out. 
Threw  startling  shadows  of  dismay  and  doubt ;  — 
Yet  zeal,  ambition,  her  tremendous  vow, 
The  thought,  still  haunting  her,  of  that  bright  brow, 
Wliose  blaze,  as  yet  from  mortal  eye  concealed, 
Would  soon,  proud  triumph  !  be  to  her  revealed. 
To  her  alone ;  —  and  then  the  hope,  most  dear. 
Most  wild  of  all,  that  her  transgression  here 
Was  but  a  passage  through  earth's  grosser  fire, 
From  which  the  spirit  would  at  last  aspire. 
Even  purer  than  before,  —  as  perfumes  rise 
Through  flame  and  smoke,  most  welcome    to  the 

skies,  — 
And  that  when  Azim's  fond,  divine  embrace 
Should  circle  her  in  Heaven,  no  dark'ning  trace 


VEILED   PROPHET    OF   KIIORASSAN.  41 

Would  on  that  bosom  he  once  loved  remain. 
But  all  be  bright,  be  pure,  be  his  again  !  — 
These  were  the  wildering  dreams,  whose  curst  deceit 
Had  chained  her  soul  beneath  the  tempter's  feet, 
And  made  her  think  even  damning  falsehood  sweet. 
But  now  that  Shape,  which  had  appalled  her  view, 
That  Semblance  —  oh,  how  terrible,  if  true  !  — 
"VVliich  came  across  her  frenzy's  full  career 
With  shock  of  consciousness,  cold,  deep,  severe, 
As  when,  in  northern  seas,  at  midnight  dark. 
An  isle  of  ice  encounters  some  swift  bark. 
And,  startling  all  its  wretches  from  their  sleep. 
By  one  cold  impulse  hurls  them  to  the  deep ;  — 
So  came  that  shock  not  frenzy's  self  could  bear, 
And  waking  up  each  long-lulled  image  there,  s. 

But  checked  her  headlong  soul,  to  sink  it  in  despair ! 

Wan  and  dejected,  through  the  evening  dusk, 
She  now  went  slowly  to  that  small  kiosk. 
Where,  pond'ring  alone  his  impious  schemes, 
MoKANNA  waited  her  —  too  wrapt  in  dreams 
Of  the  fair-rip'ning  future's  rich  success, 
To  heed  the  sorrow,  pale  and  spiritless. 
That  sat  upon  his  victim's  downcast  brow, 
Or  mark  how  slow  her  step,  how  altered  now 
From  the  quick,  ardent  Priestess,  whose  light  bound 
Came  like  a  spirit's  o'er  th'  imechoing  ground,  — 
From  that  wild  Zelica,  whose  every  glance 
Was  thrilling  fire,  whose  every  thought  a  trance  ! 


42  LALLA   ROOKH. 

Upon  liis  couch  the  Veiled  Mokanna  lay, 
While  lamps  around  —  not  such  as  lend  their  ray, 
Glimmering  and  cold,  to  those  who  nightly  pray 
In  holy  KooM,*^  or  Mecca's  dim  arcades, 
But  brilliant,  soft,  such  lights  as  lovely  maids 
Look  loveliest  in  —  shed  their  luxurious  glow 
Upon  his  mystic  Veil's  white  glittering  flow. 
Beside  him,  'stead  of  beads  and  books  of  prayer, 
Which  the  world  fondly  thought  he  mused  on  there. 
Stood  Vases,  filled  with  Kishmee's  ^^  golden  wine. 
And  the  red  weepings  of  the  Shiraz  vine ; 
Of  wluch  his  curtained  lips  full  many  a  draught 
Took  zealously,  as  if  each  drop  they  quaffed, 
Like  Zemzem's  Spring  of  Holiness,^"  had  power 
To  freshen  the  soul's  virtues  into  flower ! 
And  still  he  drank  and  pondered  —  nor  could  see 
Th'  approaching  maid,  so  deep  his  reverie  ; 
At  length,  with  fiendish  laugh,  like  that  which  broke 
From  Eblis  at  the  Fall  of  Man,  he  sjwke :  — 
"  Yes,  ye  \ale  race,  for  hell's  amusement  given, 
"  Too  mean  for  earth,  yet  claiming  kin  with  heaven ; 
"  God's  images,  forsooth !  —  such  gods  as  he 
"  Whom  India  serves,  the  monkey  deity  ;  —  ^^ 
"  Ye  creatures  of  a  breath,  proud  things  of  clay, 
''  To  whom  if  Lucifer,  as  grandams  say, 
"  Refused,  though  at  the  forfeit  of  heaven's  light, 
"  To  bend  in  worship,  Lucifer  was  right !  —  ^^ 
"  Soon  shall  I  plant  this  foot  upon  tlie  neck 
"  Of  your  fouJ  race,  and  without  fear  or  check, 
'•  Luxuriating  in  hate,  avenge  my  shame, 


■ llllllllliiillliiiiiiiii 


VEILED   PROPHET   OF   KHORASSAX.  43 

"  My  deep-felt,  long-nurst  loathing  of  man's  name  !  — 

"  Soon  at  the  head  of  myriads,  blind  and  fierce 

"  As  hooded  falcons,  through  the  universe 

"  I  '11  sweep  my  dark'ning,  desolating  way, 

"  Weak  man  my  instriunent,  curst  man  my  prey  ! 

"  Ye  wise,  ye  learned,  who  grope  your  dull  way  on 
"  By  the  chm  twinkling  gleams  of  ages  gone, 
"  Like  superstitious  thieves,  who  think  the  light 
"  From  dead   men's   marrow  guides  them  best  at 

night  —  ^^ 
"  Ye    shall    have    honors  —  wealth  —  yes.    Sages, 

yes  — 
"  I  know,  grave  fools,  your  wisdom's  nothingness  ; 
"  Undazzled  it  can  track  yon  starry  sphere, 
'•  But  a  gilt  stick,  a  bawble  blinds  it  here. 
"  How  I  shall  laugh,  when  trumpeted  along, 
"  In  lying  speech,  and  still  more  lying  song, 
'•  By  these  learned  slaves,  the  meanest  of  the  throng ; 
"  Their  wits  bought  up,  their  Avisdom  shrunk  so  small, 
"  A  sceptre's  puny  point  can  Avield  it  all ! 

"  Ye  too,  believers  of  incredible  creeds, 
"  Whose    faith    enshrines    the    monsters    which    it 

breeds  ; 
"  Who,  bolder  even  than  Nejirod,  think  to  rise, 
"  By  nonsense  heaped  on  nonsense,  to  the  skies  ; 
''  Ye  shall  have  miracles,  aye,  sound  ones  too, 
"  Seen,  heard,  attested,  eveiything  —  but  true. 
''  Your  preaching  zealots,  too  inspired  to  seek 


44  LALLA   ROOKH. 

"  One  grace  of  meaning  for  the  tilings  they  speak  ; 

"  Your  martyrs,  ready  to  shed  out  their  blood, 

"  For  truths  too  heavenly  to  be  understood  ; 

"  And  your  State  Priests,  sole  vendors  of  the  lore, 

"  That  works  salvation  ;  —  as,  on  Ava's  shore, 

"  Where  none  hut  priests  are  privileged  to  trade 

*'  In  that  best  marble  of  which  gods  are  made  ;  ^* 

"  They  shall  have  mysteries  —  aye,  precious  stuff 

"  For  knaves  to  thrive  by  —  mysteries  enough  ; 

"  Dark,  tangled  doctrines,  dark  as  fraud  can  weave, 

"  Wliich  simple  votaries  shall  on  trust  receive, 

"  While  craftier  feign  belief,  till  they  believe. 

"  A  heaven  too  ye  nuist  have,  ye  lords  of  dust,  — 

"  A  splendid  Paradise,  —  pure  souls,  ye  must : 

"  That  Prophet  ill  sustains  his  holy  call, 

"  Who  finds  not  heavens  to  suit  the  tastes  of  all ; 

"  Houries  for  boys,  omniscience  for  sages, 

"  And  wings  and  glories  for  all  ranks  and  ages. 

"  Vain  things  !  —  as  lust  or  vanity  insjiires, 

"  The  heaven  of  each  is  but  what  each  desires, 

"  And,  soul  or  sense,  whate'er  the  object  be, 

"  Man  would  be  man  to  all  eternity  ! 

"  So  let  liim  —  Eblis  !    grant  this  crowning  curse, 

"  But  keep  him  wliat  he  is,  no  hell  were  worse." 

"  Oh   my  lost  soul ! "   exclaimed  the  shuddering 
maid. 
Whose  ears  had  drunk  like  poison  all  he  said  :  — 
Mo  K  ANN  A  started  —  not  abashed,  afraid, — 
He  knew  no  more  of  fear  than  one  who  dwells 


VEILED    I'llOPIlET    OF    KHOKASSAN.  45 

Beneath  the  tropics  knows  of  icicles ! 

But  in  those  dismal  words  that  reached  his  ear, 

"  Oh  my  lost  sold  !  "  there  was  a  sound  so  drear, 

So  like  that  voice,  among  the  sinful  dead, 

In  which  the  legend  o'er  Hell's  Gate  is  read, 

That,  new  as  't  was  from  her,  whom  naught  could 

dim 
Or  sink  till  now.  it  startled  even  him. 

"  Ha,  my  fair  Priestess !  "  thus,  with  ready  wile, 
Th'  Impostor  turned  to  greet   her  —  "  thou  whose 

smile 
"  Hath  inspiration  in  its  rosy  beam 
"  Beyond  th'  Enthusiast's  hope  or  Prophet's  dream  ; 
"  Light  of  the  faith  !  who  twin'st  religion's  zeal 
"  So  close  with  love's,  men  know  not  which  they  feel, 
"•  Nor  which  to  sigh  for,  in  their  trance  of  heart, 
"  The  heaven  thou  preachest  or  the  heaven  thou 

art! 
"  AVhat  should  I  be  without  thee  ?  without  thee 
"  How  dull  were  power,  how  joyless  victory  ! 
"  Though  borne  by  angels,  if  that  smile  of  thine 
"■  Blessed  not  my  banner,  't  were  but  half  divine. 
"  But  —  why  so  mournful,  child  ?  those   eyes,   that 

shone 
''  All  life  last  night  —  what !  —  is  their  glory  gone  ? 
•'  Come,  come  —  this  morn's  fatigue  hath  made  them 

pale, 
"  They   want   rekindling  —  suns   themselves   would 

fail 


40  LALLA   ROOKH. 

"  Did  not  their  comets  bring,  as  I  to  thee, 

"  From  light's  own  fount  supplies  of  brilliancy. 

"  Thou  seest  this  cup  — no  juice  of  earth  is  here, 

"  But  the  pure  waters  of  that  upper  sphere, 

"  Whose  rills  o'er  ruby  beds  and  topaz  flow, 

"  Catching  the  gem's  bright  color  as  they  go. 

"  Nightly  my  genii  come  and  fill  these  urns  — 

"  Nay,  drink  —  in  every  drop  life's  essence  burns  ; 

"  'T  will    make   that    soul   all    fire,   those    eyes   all 

light - 
"  Come,  come,  I  want  thy  loveliest  smiles  to-night : 
"  There  is  a  youth  —  why  start  ?  —  thou  saw'st  him 

then  ; 
"  Looked  he  not  nobly  ?  such  the  godlike  men 
"  Thou  'It  have  to  woo  thee  in  the  bowers  above  ;  — 
"  Though  he,  I  fear,  hath  thoughts  too  stern  for  love, 
"  Too  ruled  by  that  cold  enemy  of  bliss 
"  The  world  calls  virtue  —  we  must  conquer  this  ; 
"  Nay,  shrink  not,  pretty  sage  !  't  is  not  for  thee 
"  To  scan  the  mazes  of  Heaven's  mystery  : 
"  The  steel  must  pass  through  fire,  ere  it  can  yield 
"  Fit  instruments  for  mighty  hands  to  wield. 
"  This  very  night  I  mean  to  try  the  art 
"  Of  powerful  beauty  on  that  warrior's  heart. 
"  All  that  my  Harem  boasts  of  bloom  and  wit, 
"  Of  skill  and  charms,  most  rare  and  exquisite, 
"  Shall   tempt   the   boy :  —  young   Mirzala's    blue 

eyes, 
"  Whose  sleepy  lid  like  snow  on  violets  lies ; 
'•'  Arouya's  cheeks,  warm  as  a  spring-day  sun, 


VEILED   PROPHET   OF  KHORASSAN,  47 

"  And  lips  that,  like  the  seal  of  Solomon, 

"  Have  magic  in  their  pressure  ;  Zeba's  lute, 

"  And  Lilla's  dancing  feet,  that  gleam  and  shoot 

"  Rapid  and  white  as  sea-birds  o'er  the  deep  — 

"  All  shall  combine  their  witching  powers  to  steep 

"  My  convert's  spirit  in  that  softening  trance, 

"  From  which  to  heaven  is  but  the  next  advance ;  — 

"  That  glowing,  yielding  fusion  of  the  breast, 

"  On  which  Religion  stamps  her  image  best. 

"  But  hear  me.  Priestess  !  —  though  each  nymph  of 

these 
"  Hath  some  peculiar,  practised  power  to  please, 
"  Some  glance  or  step  which,  at  the  mirror  tried, 
"  First  charms  herself,  then  all  the  world  beside  ; 
"  There  still  wants  one,  to  make  the  victory  sure, 
"  One  who  in  every  look  joins  every  lure  ; 
"  Through   whom    all    beauty's   beams    concentred 

pass, 
"  Dazzling   and   warm,  as   through    love's   burning 

glass  ; 
"  Wliose  gentle  lips  persuade  without  a  word, 
"  Wliose  words,  even  when  unmeaning,  are  adored, 
"  Like  inarticulate  breathings  from  a  shrine, 
"  Which  our  faith  takes  for  granted  are  divine  ! 
"  Such  is  the  nymph  we  want,  all  warmth  and  light, 
"  To  crown  the  rich  temptations  of  to-night ; 
"  Such  the  refined  enchantress  that  must  be 
"  This  hero's  vanquisher,  —  and  thou  art  she  !  " 

With  her  hands  clasped,  her  lips  apart  and  pale, 


48  LALLA   KOOKH. 

The  maid  had  stood,  gazing  upon  the  Veil 

From  which  these  words,  like  south  winds  through  a 

fence, 
Of  Kerzrah  flowers,  came  filled  with  jiestilence ;  ^^ 
So  boldly  uttered,  too  !  as  if  all  dread 
Of  frowns  from  her,  of  virtuous  frowns  were  fled, 
And  the  wretch  felt  assured  that,  once  plunged  in, 
Her  woman's  soul  would  know  no  pause  in  sin  I 

At  first,  though  mute  she  listened,  like  a  dream 
Seemed  all  he  said :  nor  could  her  mind,  whose  beam 
As  yet  was  weak,  penetrate  half  his  scheme. 
But  when,  at  length,  he  uttered,  "  Thou  art  she  !  " 
All  flashed  at  once,  and  shrieking  piteously, 
"  Oh,  not  for  worlds  !  "  she  cried :  "  Great  God  !    to 

whom 
"  I  once  knelt  innocent,  is  this  my  doom  ? 
"  Are  all  my  dreams,  my  hopes  of  heavenly  bliss, 
"  My  purity,  my  pride,  then  come  to  this,  — 
"  To  live,  the  wanton  of  a  fiend  !  to  be 
"  The  pander  of  his  guilt  —  oh  infamy ! 
"  And  sunk,  myself,  as  low  as  hell  can  steep 
"  In  its  hot  flood,  drag  others  down  as  deep  ? 
"  Others  —  ha  !  yes  —  that  youth  who  came  to-day  — 
"  Not  him  I  loved  —  not  him  —  oh  !  do  but  say, 
"  But  swear  to  me  this  moment  't  is  not  he, 
"  And   I  will  serve,   dark  fiend,  will   worship  even 

thee  ! " 

"  Beware,  young  raving  thing  !  —  in  time  beware, 


VEILED  PROPHET   OF   KHORASSAN.  49 

"  Nor  utter  what  I  cannot,  must  not  bear, 

"  Even  from  thy  lips.     Go  —  try  thy  hite,  thy  voice, 

"  The  boy  must  feel  their  magic  ;  —  I  rejoice 

"  To  see  those  fires,  no  matter  whence  they  rise, 

"  Once  more  illuming  my  fair  Priestess'  eyes  ; 

"  And  should  the  youth,  whom  soon  those  eyes  shall 

warm, 
"  Indeed  resemble  thy  dead  lover's  form, 
"  So  much  the  happier  wilt  thou  find  thy  doom, 
"  As  one  warm  lover,  full  of  life  and  bloom, 
"  Excels  ten  thousand  cold  ones  in  the  tomb. 
"  Nay,  nay,  no  frowning,  sweet !  —  those  eyes  were 

made 
"  For  love,  not  anger  —  I  must  be  obeyed." 

"  Obeyed  !  —  't  is  well  —  yes,  I  deserve  it  all  — 
"  On  me,  on  me  Heaven's  vengeance  cannot  fall 
"  Too  heavily  —  but  Azim,  brave  and  true 
"  And  beautiful  —  must  he  be  ruined  too  ? 
"  Must  he  too,  glorious  as  he  is,  be  driven 
"  A  renegade  like  me  from  Love  and  Heaven  ? 
"  Like  me  ?  —  weak  wretch,  I  wrong  him  —  not  like 

me  ; 
"  No  —  he  's  all  truth  and  strength  and  pin-ity  ! 
"  Fill  up  your  madd'ning  hell-cup  to  the  brim, 
"  Its  witch'ry,  fiends,  will  have  no  charm  for  him. 
"  Let  loose  your  glowing  wantons  from  their  bowers, 
"  He  loves,  he  loves,  and  can  defy  their  powers  ! 
"  Wretch  as  I  am,  in  his  heart  still  I  reign 
"  Pure  as  when  first  we  met,  without  a  stain  ! 


50  LALLA  ROOKTI. 

"  Though  ruined  —  lost  —  my  memory,  like  a  charm 

"  Left  by  the  dead,  still  keeps  his  soul  from  harm. 

"  Oh  !  never  let  him  know  how  deep  the  brow 

"  He  kissed  at  parting  is  dishonored  now  ;  — 

"  Ne'er  tell  him  how  debased,  how  sunk  is  she, 

"  Wliom  once  he  loved  —  once !  —  still  loves  dotingly. 

"  Thou  laugh'st,  tormentor,  —  what !  —  thou  'It  brand 

my  name  ? 
"  Do,  do  —  in  vain  —  he  '11  not  believe  my  shame  ; 
"  He  thinks  me  true,  that  natight  beneatli  God's  sky 
"  Could  tempt  or  change  me,  and — so  once  thought  I. 
"  But  this  is  past  —  though  worse  than  death  my  lot, 
"  Than  hell  —  't  is  nothing  while  he  knows  it  not. 
"  Far  off  to  some  benighted  land  I  '11  fly, 
"  Wliere  sunbeam  ne'er  shall  enter  till  T  die ; 
"  Where  none  will  ask  the  lost  one  whence  she  came, 
"  But  I  may  fade  and  fall  without  a  name. 
"  And  thou  —  curst  man  or  fiend,  whate'er  thou  art, 
"  Who  found'st  this  burning  plague-spot  in  my  heart, 
"  And  spread'st  it  —  oh,  so  quick  !  —  through  soul 

and  frame, 
"  With  more  than  demon's  art,  till  I  became 
"  A  loathsome  thing,  all  pestilence,  all  flame  !  — 

"  If,  when  I  'm  gone  " 

"  Hold,  fearless  maniac,  hold, 
"  Nor  tempt  my  rage  —  by  Heaven,  not  half  so  bold 
"  The  puny  bird,  that  dares  with  teasing  hum 
"  Within  the  crocodile's  stretched  jaws  to  come  !  ^^ 
"  And  so  thou  'It  fly,  forsooth  ?  —  what !  —  give  up  all 
"  Thy  chaste  dominion  in  the  Harem  Hall, 


VEILED  PROPHET   OF  KHORASSAN.  51 

"  Where  now  to  Love  and  now  to  Alla  given, 

"  Half  mistress  and  half  saint,  thou  hang'st  as  even 

"  As  doth  Medina's  tomb,  'twixt  hell  and  heaven  ! 

"  Thou  'It  fly  !  —  as  easily  may  reptiles  run, 

"  The  gaunt  snake  once  hath  fixed  his  eyes  upon ; 

"  As  easily,  when  caught,  the  prey  may  be 

"  Plucked  from  his  loving  folds,  as  thou  from  me. 

"  No,  no,  't  is  fixed  —  let  good  or  ill  betide, 

"  Thou  'rt   mine   till   death,  till    death   Mokanna's 

bride  ! 
"  Hast  thou  forgot  thy  oath  ?  "  — 

At  this  dread  word, 
The  Maid,  whose  spirit  his  rude  taunts  had  stirred 
Through  all  its  depths,  and  roused  an  anger  there. 
That  burst  and  lightened  even  through  her  despair  — 
Shrunk  back,  as  if  a  blight  were  in  the  breath 
That  spoke  that  word,  and  staggered  pale  as  death. 

"  Yes,  my  sworn  bride,  let  others  seek  in  bowers 
"  Their  bridal  place  —  the  charnel  vault  was  ours  ! 
"  Instead  of  scents  and  balms,  for  thee  and  me 
"  Rose  the  rich  steams  of  sweet  mortality  ; 
"  Gay,  flickering  death-lights  shone  while  we  were 

wed, 
"  And,  for  our  guests,  a  row  of  goodly  Dead, 
"  (Immortal  spirits  in  their  time,  no  doubt,) 
"  From  reeking  shrouds  upon  the  rite  looked  out ! 
"  That  oath  thou  heard'st  more  lips  than  thine  re- 
peat — 
"  That  cup  — thou  shudd'rest,  Lady,  — was  it  sweet  ? 


52  LALLA   ROOKH. 

"  That  cup  we  pledged,  the  charnel's  choicest  wine, 

"  Hath  bound  thee  —  aye  —  body  and  soul  all  mine 

"  Bound  thee  by  chains  that,  whether  blest  or  curst 

"  No  matter  now,  not  hell  itself  shall  burst ! 

"  Hence,  woman,  to  the  Harem,  and  look  gay, 

"  Look  wild,  look  —  anything  but  sad  ;  yet  stay  — 

"  One  moment  more  —  from  what  this  night  hath 

passed, 
"  I  see  thou  know'st  me,  know'st  me  well  at  last. 
"  Ha !   ha  !  and  so,  fond  thing,  thou  thought'st  all 

true, 
"  And  that  I  love  mankind  ?  —  I  do,  I  do  — 
"  As  victims,  love  them  ;  as  the  sea-dog  doats 
"  Upon  the  small,  sweet  fry  that  round  him  floats  ; 
"  Or,  as  the  Nile-bird  loves  the  slime  that  gives 
"  That    rank   and   venomous    food    on    which    she 

lives  !  5^ 

"  And,  now  thou  seest  my  soiiVs  angelic  hue, 
"  'T  is  time  these  features  were  uncurtained  too  ;  — 
"  This  brow,  whose  light  —  oh,  rare  celestial  light ! 
"  Hath  been  reserved   to  bless  thy  favored  siglit ; 
"  These  dazzling  eyes,  before  whose  shrouded  might 
"  Thou  'st   seen   immortal    Man    kneel    down    and 

quake  — 
"  Would  that  they  toere  heaven's  lightnings  for  his 

sake ! 
"  But  turn  and  look  —  then  wonder,  if  thou  wilt, 
"  That  I  should  hate,  should  take  revenge,  by  guilt, 
"  Upon  the  hand,  whose  mischief  or  whose  mirth 


VEILED  PROPHET  OF  KHORASSAN.  53 

0 

"  Sent  me  thus  maimed  and  monstrous  upon  earth ; 
"  And  on  that  race  who,  though  more  vile  they  be 
"  Than  mowing  apes,  are  demi-gods  to  me  ! 
"  Here — judge  if  hell,  with  all  its  power  to  damn, 
"  Can  add  one  curse  to  the  foul  thing  I  am ! "  — 

He   raised   his    veil  —  the    Maid    turned    slowly 
round, 
Looked   at   him  —  shrieked  —  and  sunk   upon  the 
"•round  ! 


On  their  arrival,  next  night,  at  the  place  of  en- 
campment, they  were  surprised  and  delighted  to 
find  the  groves  all  around  illuminated ;  some  artists 
of  Yamtcheou  ®^  having  been  sent  on  previously  for 
the  purpose.  On  each  side  of  the  green  alley, 
which  led  to  the  Royal  Pavilion,  artificial  sceneries 
of  bamboo-work  ^^  were  erected,  representing  arches, 
minarets,  and  towers,  from  which  hung  thousands 
of  silken  lanterns,  painted  by  the  most  delicate  pen- 
cils of  Canton.  Nothing  could  be  more  beautiful 
than  the  leaves  of  the  mango-trees  and  acacias, 
shining  in  the  light  of  the  bamboo-scenery,  which 
shed  a  lustre  round  as  soft  as  that  of  the  nights  of 
Peristan. 

Lalla  Rookh,  however,  who  was  too  much  oc- 
cupied by  the  sad  story  of  Zelica  and  her  lover 
to  give  a  thought  to  anything  else,  except,  perhaps, 
him  who  related  it,  hurried  on  through  this  scene  of 
splendor  to  her  pavilion,  —  greatly  to  the  mortifi- 
cation of  the  poor  artists  of  Yamtcheou,  —  and  was 
followed  with  equal  rapidity  by  the  Great  Chamber- 
lain, cursing,  as  he  went,  that  ancient  Mandarin, 
whose  parental  anxiety  in  lighting  up  the  shores  of 
the  lake,  where  his  beloved  daughter  had  wandered 


VEILED  PROPHET   OF   KHORASSAN.  55 

and  been  lost,  was  the  origin  of  these  fantastic  Chi- 
nese illuminations.^" 

Without  a  moment's  delay,  young  Feramorz  was 
introduced,  and  Fadladeen,  who  could  never  make 
up  his  mind  as  to  the  merits  of  a  poet,  till  he  knew 
the  I'eligious  sect  to  which  he  belonged,  was  about 
to  ask  him  whether  he  was  a  Shia  or  a  Sooni,  when 
Lalla  Rookh  impatiently  clapped  her  hands  for 
silence,  and  the  youth,  being  seated  upon  the  mus- 
nud  near  her,  proceeded : — 


^ 


Prepake    thy   soul,    young    Azim  !  —  thou    hast 

braved 
The  bands  of  Greece,  still  mighty  though  enslaved 
Hast  faced  her  phalanx,  armed  with  all  its  fame, 
Her  Macedonian  pikes  and  globes  of  flame ; 
All  this  hast  fronted,  with  firm  heart  and  brow. 
But  a  more  perilous  trial  waits  thee  now,  — 
Woman's  bright  eyes,  a  dazzling  host  of  eyes 
From  every  land  where  woman  smiles  or  sighs ; 
Of  every  hue,  as  Love  may  chance  to  raise 
His  black  or  azure  banner  in  their  blaze  ; 
And  each  sweet  mode  of  warfare,  from  the  flash 
That  lightens  boldly  through  the  shadowy  lash, 
To  the  sly,  stealing  splendors,  almost  hid, 
Like  swords   half-sheathed,   beneath   the  downcast 

lid;  — 
Such,  Azim,  is  the  lovely,  luminous  host 
Now  led  against  thee  ;  and,  let  conquerors  boast 
Their  fields  of  fame,  he  who  in  virtue  arms 
A  young,  warm  spirit  against  beauty's  charms. 
Who  feels  her  brightness,  yet  defies  her  thrall. 
Is  the  best,  bravest  conqueror  of  them  all. 


Now,  through  the  Harem  chambers,  moving  lights 
And  busy  shapes  proclaim  the  toilet's  rites ;  — 


VEILED  PROPHET   OF   KHORASSAN.  57 

From  room  to  room  the  ready  handmaids  hie, 

Some  skilled  to  wreathe  the  turban  tastefully, 

Or  hang  the  veil,  in  negligence  of  shade, 

O'er  the  warm  blushes  of  the  youthful  maid, 

Who,  if  between  the  folds  but  one  eye  shone, 

Like    Seba's     Queen    could    vanquish    with    that 

one  :  —  ^^ 
Wliile  some  bring  leaves  of  Henna,  to  imbue 
The  fingers'  ends  with  a  bright  I'oseate  hue,*^^ 
So  bright,  that  in  the  mirror's  depth  they  seem 
Like  tips  of  coral  branches  in  the  stream : 
And  others  mix  the  Kohol's  jetty  dye, 
To  give  that  long,  dark  languish  to  the  eye,^^ 
Which  makes  the  maids,  whom  kings  are  proud  to 

cull 
From  fair  Circassia's  vales,  so  beautiful. 
All  is  in  motion  ;  rings  and  plumes  and  pearls 
Are  shining  everywhere  :  —  some  younger  girls 
Are  gone  by  moonlight  to  the  garden-beds. 
To  gather  fresh,  cool  chaplets  for  their  heads  ;  — 
Gay  creatures !  sweet,  though  mournful,  't  is  to  see 
How  each  prefers  a  garland  from  that  tree 
Wliich    brings    to    mind   her    childhood's    innocent 

day. 
And  the  dear  fields  and  friendships  far  away. 
The  maid  of  India,  blest  again  to  hold 
In  her  full  lap  the  Champac's  leaves  of  gold,"* 
Thinks  of  the  time  when,  by  the  Ganges'  flood 
Her  little  playmates  scattered  many  a  bud 
Upon  her  long  black  hair,  with  glossy  gleam 


58  LALLA  KOOKH. 

Just  dripping  from  the  consecrated  stream ; 
Wliile  tlie  young  Arab,  haunted  by  the  smell 
Of  her  own  mountain  flowers,  as  by  a  spell,  — 
The  sweet  Elcaya,®^  and  that  courteous  tree 
Which  bows  to  all  who  seek  its  canopy,*'*^ 
Sees,  called  up  round  her  by  these  magic  scents, 
The  well,  the  camels,  and  her  father's  tents  ; 
Sighs  for  the  home  she  left  with  little  pain, 
And  wishes  even  its  sorrows  back  again ! 

Meanwhile,  through  vast  illuminated  halls, 
Silent  and  bright,  where  nothing  but  the  falls 
Of  fragrant  waters,  gushing  with  cool  sound 
From  many  a  jasper  fount,  is  heard  around, 
*Young  AziM  roams  bewildered,  —  nor  can  guess 
What  means  this  maze  of  light  and  loneliness. 
Here,  the  way  leads,  o'er  tessellated  floors 
Or  mats  of  Cairo,  through  long  corridors, 
Where,  ranged  in  cassolets  and  silver  urns. 
Sweet  wood  of  aloe  or  of  sandal  burns ; 
And  sjiicy  rods,  such  as  illume  at  night 
The  bowers  of  Tibet,®''  send  forth  odorous  light. 
Like  Peris'  wands,  when  pointing  out  the  road 
For  some  pure  Spirit  to  its  blest  abode :  — 
And  here,  at  once,  the  glittering  saloon 
Bursts  on  his  sight,  boundless  and  bright  as  noon ; 
Where,  in  the  midst,  reflecting  back  the  rays 
In  broken  rainbows,  a  fresh  fountain  plays 
High  as  th'  enamelled  cupola,  which  towers 
All  rich  Avith  arabesques  of  gold  and  flowers : 


VEILED  PROPHET   OF    KHORASSAN.  59 

And  the  mosaic  floor  beneath  shines  through 
The  sprinkling  of  that  fountain's  silv'ry  dew, 
Like  the  wet,  glistening  shells,  of  every  dye, 
That  on  the  margin  of  the  Red  Sea  lie. 

Here  too  he  traces  the  kind  visitings 
Of  woman's  love  in  those  fair,  living  things 
Of  land  and  wave,  whose  fate  —  in  bondage  thrown 
For  their  weak  loveliness  —  is  like  her  own  ! 
On  one  side,  gleaming  with  a  sudden  grace 
Through  water,  brilliant  as  the  crystal  vase 
In  which  it  undulates,  small  fishes  shine, 
Like  golden  ingots  from  a  fairy  mine ; 
AA'hile,  on  the  other,  latticed  lightly  in 
With  odoriferous  woods  of  Comokin,''^ 
Each  brilliant  bird  that  wings  the  air  is  seen  :  — 
Gay,  sparkling  loories,  such  as  gleam  between 
The  crimson  blossoms  of  the  coral  tree,  ®^ 
In  the  warm  isles  of  India's  sunny  sea ; 
Mecca's  blue  sacred  pigeon,'^''  and  the  thrush 
Of  Hindostan,'^  whose  holy  warblings  gush, 
At  evening,  from  the  tall  pagoda's  top ; 
Those  golden  birds  that,  in  the  spice-time,  drop 
About  the  gardens,  drunk  with  that  sweet  food  '^^ 
Whose   scent   hath   lured   them   o'er   the   summer . 

flood  ;  ^« 
And  those  that  under  Araby's  soft  sun 
Build  their  high  nests  of  budding  cinnamon  :  ''* 
In  short,  all  rare  and  beauteous  things  that  fly 
Through  the  pure  element,  here  calmly  lie 


60  LALLA  ROOKH. 

Sleeping  in  light,  like  the  green  birds  "^  that  dwell 
In  Eden's  radiant  fields  of  asjihodel ! 

So  on,  through  scenes  past  all  imagining,  — 
More  like  the  luxuries  of  that  impious  King,'''' 
Whom  Death's  dark  Angel,  with  his  lightning  torch, 
Struck  down  and  blasted  even  in  Pleasure's  porch, 
Than  the  pure  dwelling  of  a  Prophet  sent. 
Armed  with  Heaven's  sword,  for  man's  enfranchise- 
ment, — 
Young  AziM  wandered,  looking  sternly  round. 
His  simple  garb  and  war-boots'  clanking  sound 
But  ill  according  with  the  pomp  and  grace 
And  silent  lull  of  that  voluptuous  place. 

"  Is  this,  then,"  thought  the  youth  —  "  is  this  the 

way 
"  To  free  man's  spirit  from  the  deadening  sway 
"  Of  worldly  sloth,  —  to  teach  him  while  he  lives, 
"  To  know  no  bliss  but  that  which  \artue  gives, 
"  And  when  he  dies,  to  leave  his  lofty  name 
"  A  light,  a  landmark  on  the  cliffs  of  fame  ? 
"  It  was  not  so,  Land  of  the  generous  thought 
"  And  daring  deed,  thy  godlike  sages  taught ; 
"  It  was  not  thus,  in  bowers  of  wanton  ease, 
"  Thy  freedom  nursed  her  sacred  energies  ; 
"  Oh  !  not  beneath  th'  enfeebling,  withering  glow 
"  Of  such  dull  luxury  did  those  myrtles  grow, 
"  With  which  she  Avreathed  her  sword,  when  she 

would  dare 


VEILED  PROPHET   OF  KHORASSAN.  61 

"  Immortal  deeds ;  but  in  the  bracing  air 

"  Of  toil,  —  of  temperance,  —  of  that  high,  rare, 

"  Ethereal  virtue,  which  alone  can  breathe 

"  Life,  health,  and  lustre  into  Freedom's  wreath. 

"  Who,  that  surveys  this  span  of  earth  we  press,  — 

"  This  speck  of  life  in  time's  great  wilderness, 

"  This  narrow  isthmus  'twixt  two  boundless  seas, 

"  The  past,  the  future,  two  eternities  !  — 

"  Would  sully  the  bright  spot,  or  leave  it  bare, 

"  When  he  might  build  him  a  proud  temple  there, 

''  A  name,  that  long  shall  hallow  all  its  space, 

"  And  be  each  purer  soul's  high  resting-place  ? 

'•  But  no  —  it  cannot  be,  that  one,  whom  God 

"  Has  sent  to  break  the  wizard  Falsehood's  rod,  — 

"  A  Prophet  of  the  Truth,  whose  mission  draws 

"  Its  rights  from   Heaven,  should  thus  profane  its 

cause 
"  With   the  world's   vulgar    pomps ;  —  no,   no,  —  I 

see  — 
"•  He  thinks  me  weak  —  this  glare  of  luxury 
"  Is  but  to  tempt,  to  try  the  eaglet  gaze 
"  Of  my   young  soul  —  shine   on,   't  will   stand  the 

blaze ! " 

So  thought  the  youth  ;  —  but,  even  while  he  defied 
This  witching  scene,  he  felt  its  witchery  glide 
Through     every    sense.     The    perfume    breathing 

round. 
Like  a  pervading  spirit ;  —  the  still  sound 
Of  falling  waters,  lulling  as  the  song 


62  LALLA  ROOKH. 

Of  Indian  bees  at  sunset,  when  they  throng 
Around  the  fragrant  Nilica,  and  deep 
In  its  bkie  blossoms  hum  themselves  to  sleep  ; "" 
And  music,  too  —  dear  music  !  that  can  touch 
Beyond  all  else  the  soul  that  loves  it  much  — 
Now  heard  far  off,  so  far  as  but  to  seem 
Like  the  faint,  exquisite  music  of  a  dream ; 
All  was  too  much  for  him,  too  full  of  bliss. 
The  heart  could  nothing  feel,  that  felt  not  this ; 
Softened  he  sunk  upon  a  couch,  and  gave 
His  soul  up  to  sweet  thoughts,  like  wave  on  wave 
Succeeding  in  smooth  seas,  when  storms  are  laid 
He  thought  of  Zelica,  his  own  dear  maid, 
And  of  the  time  when,  full  of  blissful  sighs. 
They  sat  and  looked  into  each  other's  eyes, 
Silent  and  happy  —  as  if  God  had  given 
Nought  else  worth  looking  at  on  this  side  heaven. 

"  0,  my  loved  mistress,  thou,  whose  spirit  still 
"  Is  with  me,  round  me,  wander  where  I  will  — 
"  It  is  for  thee,  for  thee  alone  I  seek 
"  The  paths  of  glory ;  to  light  up  thy  cheek 
"  With  warm  approval  —  in  that  gentle  look, 
"  To  read  my  praise,  as  in  an  angel's  book, 
"  And  think  all  toils  rewarded,  when  from  thee 
"  I  gain  a  smile  worth  immortality  ! 
"  How  shall  I  bear  the  moment,  when  restored 
"  To  that  young  heart  where  I  alone  am  Lord, 
"  Though  of  such  bliss  unworthy,  —  since  the  best 
"  Alone  deserve  to  be  the  happiest :  — 


VEILED  PROPHET   OF   KHORASSAN.  63 

"  "When  from  those  lips,  unbreathed  upon  for  years, 

"  I  shall  again  kiss  off  the  soul-felt  tears, 

"  And  find   those   tears   warm   as   when   last   they 

started, 
"  Those  sacred  kisses  pure  as  when  we  parted  ? 
"  0  my  own  life  !  —  why  should  a  single  day, 
"  A  moment  keep  me  from  those  arms  away  ?  " 

While  thus  he  thinks,  still  nearer  on  the  breeze 
Come  those  delicious,  dream-like  harmonies, 
Each  note  of  which  but  adds  new,  downy  links 
To  the  soft  chain  in  which  his  spirit  sinks. 
He  turns  him  toward  the  sound,  and  far  away 
Through  a  long  vista,  sparkling  with  the  play 
Of  countless   lamps,  —  like    the   rich   track   which 

Day 
Leaves  on  the  water,  when  he  sinks  from  us. 
So  long  the  path,  its  light  so  tremulous  ;  — 
He  sees  a  group  of  female  forms  advance, 
Some  chained  together  in  the  mazy  dance 
By  fetters,  forged  in  the  green  sunny  bowers, 
As  they  were  captives  to  the  King  of  Flowers ;  ''^ 
And  some  disporting  round,  unlinked  and  free, 
Who  seemed  to  mock  their  sisters'  slavery ; 
And  round  and  round  them  still,  in  wheeling  flight 
Went,  like  gay  moths  about  a  lamp  at  night ; 
While  others  walked,  as  gracefully  along 
Their  feet  kept  time,  the  very  soul  of  song. 
From  psaltery,  pipe,  and  lutes  of  heavenly  thrill, 
Or  their  own  youthful  voices,  heavenlier  still. 


64  LALLA  ROOKII. 

And  now  they  come,  now  pass  before  his  eye, 

Forms  such  as  Nature  moulds,  when  she  would  vie 

With  Fancy's  pencil,  and  give  birth  to  things 

Lovely  beyond  its  fairest  picturings. 

Awhile  they  dance  before  him,  then  divide, 

Breaking,  like  rosy  clouds  at  even-tide 

Around  the  rich  paAilion  of  the  sun,  — 

Till  silently  dispersing,  one  by  one, 

Through  many  a  path,  that  from  the  chamber  leads 

To  gardens,  terraces,  and  moonlight  meads, 

Their  distant  laughter  comes  upon  the  wind. 

And  but  one  trembling  nymph  remains  behind,  — 

Beckoning  them  back  in  vain,  for  they  are  gone. 

And  she  is  left  in  all  that  light  alone  ; 

No  veil  to  curtain  o'er  her  beauteous  brow. 

In  its  young  bashfulness  more  beauteous  now ; 

But  a  light  golden  chain-work  round  her  hair,''^ 

Such  as  the  maids  of  Yezd^"  and  Shiras  wear, 

From  which,  on  either  side,  gracefully  hung 

A  nfolden  amulet,  in  the  Arab  tongue. 

Engraven  o'er  with  some  immortal  line 

From  Holy  Writ,  or  bard  scarce  less  divine  ; 

While  her  left  hand,  as  shrinkingly  she  stood. 

Held  a  small  lute  of  gold  and  sandal-wood. 

Which,  once   or  twice,   she   touched   with   hurried 

strain, 
Then  took  her  trembling  fingers  off  again. 
But  when  at  length  a  timid  glance  she  stole 
At  Azur,  the  sweet  gravity  of  soul 
She  saw  through  all  his  features  calmed  her  fear, 


VEILED   PROPHET    OF    KIIORASSAX.  G5 

And,  like  a  half-tamed  antelope,  more  near, 
Though  shrinking  still,  she  came  ;  —  then   sat  her 

down 
Upon  a  musnud's  ^^  edge,  and,  bolder  grown, 
In  the  pathetic  mode  of  Isfahan  ^^ 
Touched  a  preluding  strain,  and  thus  began :  — 


There  's  a  bower  of  roses  by  Bendemeer's  ^^  stream, 
And  the  nightingale  sings  round  it  all  the  day 
long ; 
In  the  time  of  my  childhood  't  was  like  a  sweet 
dream. 
To  sit  in  the  roses  and  hear  the  bird's  song. 

That  bower  and  its  music  I  never  forget, 

But  oft  when  alone,  in  the  bloom  of  the  year, 

I  think  —  is  the  nightingale  singing  there  yet  ? 
Are  the  roses  still  bright  by  the  calm  Bexde- 

MEER? 

No,  the  roses  soon  withered  that  hung  o'er  the  wave. 

But  some  blossoms  were  gathered,  while  freshly 

they  shone. 

And  a  dew  was  distilled  from  their  flowers,  that  gave 

All  the  fragrance  of  summer,  when  sunuiier  was 

gone. 

Thus  memory  draws  from  delight,  ere  it  dies. 
An  essence  that  breathes  of  it  many  a  year  ; 
5 


66  LALLA  ROOKH. 

Thus  bright  to  my  soul,  as  't  was  then  to  my  eyes, 
Is  that  bower  on  the  banks  of  the  cahn  Bende- 


"  Poor  maiden  ! "  thought  the  youth,  "  if  thou  wert 
sent, 
"  With  thy  soft  kite  and  beauty's  blandishment, 
"  To  wake  unholy  wishes  in  this  heart, 
"  Or  tempt  its  truth,  thou  little  knowest  the  art. 
"  For  though  thy  lip  should  sweetly  counsel  wrong, 
"  Those  vestal  eyes  would  disavow  its  song. 
"  But  thou  hast  breathed  such  purity,  thy  lay 
"  Returns  so  fondly  to  youth's  virtuous  day, 
"  And  leads  thy  soul  —  if  e'er  it  wandered  thence  — 
"  So  gently  back  to  its  first  innocence, 
"  That  I  would  sooner  stop  the  unchained  dove, 
"  When  swift  returning  to  its  home  of  love, 
"  And  round  its  snowy  wing  new  fetters  twine, 
"  Than  turn  from  virtue  one  pure  wish  of  thine !  " 

Scarce  had  this  feeling   passed,  when,  sparkling 
through 
The  gently  opened  curtains  of  light  blue 
That  veiled  the  breezy  casement,  countless  eyes. 
Peeping  like  stars  through  the  blue  evening  skies, 
Looked  laughing  in,  as  if  to  mock  the  pair 
That  sat  so  still  and  melancholy  there :  — 
And  now  the  curtains  fly  apart,  and  in 
From  the  cool  air,  'mid  showers  of  jessamine 
Which  those  without  fling  after  them  in  play. 


VEILED   PROPHET   OF  KHORASSAX.  07 

Two  lightsome  maidens  spring,  —  lightsome  as  they 

AVho  live  in  th'  air  on  odors,  —  and  around 

The  bright  saloon,  scarce  conscious  of  the  ground. 

Chase  one  another,  in  a  varying  dance 

Of  mirth  and  languor,  coyness  and  advance. 

Too  eloquently  like  love's  warm  pursuit :  — 

"VYliile  she,  who  sung  so  gently  to  the  lute 

Her  dream  of  home,  steals  timidly  away, 

Shrinking  as  violets  do  in  summer's  ray,  — 

But  takes  with  her  from  Azim's  heart  that  sigh 

We  sometimes  give  to  forms  that  pass  us  by 

In  the  world's  crowd,  too  lovely  to  remain. 

Creatures  of  light  we  never  see  again  ! 

Around   the   white    necks   of   the   nymphs   who 
danced 
Hung  carcanets  of  orient  gems,  that  glanced 
More  brilliant  than  the  sea-glass  glittering  o'er 
The  hills  of  crystal  on  the  Caspian  shore  ;  ^^ 
While  from  their  long,  dark  tresses,  in  a  fall 
Of  curls  descending,  bells  as  musical 
As  those  that,  on  the  golden-shafted  trees 
Of  Eden,  shake  in  the  eternal  breeze,^^ 
Rung  round  their  steps,  at  every  bound  more  sweet, 
As  't  were  th'  ecstatic  language  of  their  feet. 
At  length  the  chase  was  o'er,  and  they  stood  wreathed 
Within  each  other's  arms  ;  while  soft  there  breathed 
Through  the  cool  casement,  mingled  with  the  sighs 
Of  moonlight  flowers,  music  that  seemed  to  rise 
From  some  still  lake,  so  liquidly  it  rose  ; 


08  LALLA   ROOKH. 

And,  as  it  swelled  again  at  each  faint  close, 

The  ear  could  track  through  all  that  maze  of  chords 

And  young  sweet  voices,  these  impassioned  words :  — 


A  Spirit  there  is,  whose  fragrant  sigh 
Is  burning  now  through  earth  and  air : 

Where  cheeks  are  blushing,  the  Spirit  is  nigh, 
A^^lere  lips  are  meeting,  the  Spirit  is  there  ! 

His  breath  is  the  soul  of  flowers  like  these, 
And  his  floating  eyes  —  oh  !  they  resemble  ^^ 

Blue  water-lilies,^''  when  the  breeze 

Is  making  the  stream  around  them  tremble. 

Hail  to  thee,  hail  to  thee,  kindling  power  ! 

Spirit  of  Love,  Spirit  of  Bliss  ! 
Thy  holiest  time  is  the  moonlight  hour, 

And  there  never  was  moonlight  so  sweet  as  this. 

By  the  fair  and  brave 

Who  blushing  unite. 
Like  the  sim  and  wave. 

When  they  meet  at  night ; 

By  the  tear  that  shows 

When  passion  is  nigh. 
As  the  rain-drop  flows 

From  the  heat  of  the  sky  ; 


VEILED   TROPHET    OF   KHOKASSAN.  G9 

By  the  firet  love-beat 

Of  the  youthful  heart, 
By  the  bliss  to  meet, 

And  the  pain  to  part ; 

By  all  that  thou  hast 

To  mortals  given, 
Wliich  —  oh,  could  it  last. 

This  earth  were  heaven  ! 

We  call  thee  hither,  entrancing  Power  ! 

Spirit  of  Love  !  Spirit  of  Bliss  ! 
Thy  holiest  time  is  the  moonlight  hour, 

And  there  never  was  moonlitrht  so  sweet  as  this. 


Impatient  of  a  scene,  whose  luxuries  stole. 
Spite  of  himself,  too  deep  into  his  soul, 
And  where,  midst  all  that  the    young   heart   loves 

most. 
Flowers,  music,  smiles,  to  yield  was  to  be  lost. 
The  youth  had  started  up,  and  turned  away 
From  the  light  nymphs,  and  their  luxin-ious  lay, 
To  muse  upon  the  pictures  that  himg  round,  —  ^^ 
Bright  images,  that  spoke  without  a  sound, 
And  views,  like  vistas  into  fairy  ground. 
But  here  again  new  spells  came  o'er  his  sense  :  — 
All  that  the  pencil's  mute  omnipotence 
Could  call  up  into  life,  of  soft  and  fair. 
Of  fond  and  passionate,  was  glowing  there  ; 


70  LALLA   ROOKH. 

Nor  yet  too  warm,  but  touched  with  that  fine  art 
Which  paints  of  pleasure  but  the  purer  part ; 
Which  knows  even  Beauty  when  half-veiled  is  best,— 
Like  her  own  radiant  planet  of  the  west, 
Whose  orb  w'hen  half  retired  looks  lovelicst.^^ 
There  hung  the  history  of  the  Genii-King, 
Traced  through  each  gay,  voluptuous  wandering 
With  her  from  Saba's  bowers,  in  whose  bright  eyes 
He  read  that  to  be  blest  is  to  be  wise ;  —  ®° 
Here  fond  Zuleika  ^^  woos  with  open  arms 
The  Hebrew  boy,  who  flies  from  her  young  charms, 
Yet  flying,  turns  to  gaze,  and,  half  undone, 
Wishes  that  Heaven  and  she  could  hoth  be  won  ; 
And  here  Mohammed,  born  for  love  and  guile. 
Forgets  the  Koran  in  his  Maky's  smile ;  — 
Then  beckons  some  kind  angel  from  above 
With  a  new  text  to  consecrate  their  love.^^ 

With  rapid  step,  yet  pleased  and  lingering  eye, 
Did  the  youth  pass  these  pictured  stories  by. 
And  hastened  to  a  casement,  where  the  light 
Of  the  calm  moon  came  in,  and  freshly  bright 
The  fields  without  were  seen,  sleeping  as  still 
As  if  no  life  remained  in  breeze  or  rill. 
Here  paused  he,  while  the  nuisic,  now  less  near, 
Breathed  with  a  holier  language  on  his  ear. 
As  though  the  distance,  and  that  heavenly  ray 
Through  which  the  sounds  came  floating,  took  away 
All  that  had  been  too  earthly  in  the  lay. 


VEILED   PEOPHET   OF   KHORASSAX.  7i 

Oh !  could  he  listen  to  such  sounds  unmoved, 
And  by  that  light  —  nor  dream  of  her  he  loved  ? 
Dream  on,  imconscious  boy  !  while  yet  thou  niay'st ; 
'T  is  the  last  bliss  thy  soul  shall  ever  taste. 
Clas}}  yet  awhile  her  image  to  thy  heart, 
Ere  all  the  light,  that  made  it  dear,  depart. 
Think  of  her  smiles  as  when  thou  sawest  them  last, 
Clear,  beautiful,  by  nought  of  earth  o'ercast ; 
Eecall  her  tears,  to  thee  at  parting  given, 
Pure  as  they  weep,  if  angels  weep,  in  heaven. 
Think,  in  her  own  still  bower  she  waits  thee  now. 
With  the  same  glow  of  heart  and  bloom  of  brow, 
Yet  shrined  in  solitude  —  thine  all,  thine  only. 
Like  the  one  star  above  thee,  bright  and  lonely. 
Oh  !  that  a  dream  so  sweet,  so  long  enjoyed, 
Should  be  so  sadly,  cruelly  destroyed ! 

The  song  is  hushed,  the   laughing   nymphs   are 

flown. 
And  he  is  left,  musing  of  bliss,  alone  ;  — 
Alone  ?  —  no,  not  alone  —  that  heavy  sigh. 
That   sob   of  grief,   which   broke   from   some   one 

nigh  — 
Whose  could  it  be  ?  —  alas !  is  misery  found 
Here,  even  here,  on  this  enchanted  ground  ? 
He  turns,  and  sees  a  female  form,  close  veiled. 
Leaning,  as  if  both  heart  and  strength  had  failed, 
Against  a  pillar  near  ;  —  not  glittering  o'er 
With  gems  and  wreaths,  such  as  the  others  wore. 
But  in  that  deep-blue,  melancholy  dress,^^ 


72  LALLA   ROOKII. 

Bokhara's  maidens  wear  in  mindfulness 

Of  friends  or  kindred,  dead  or  far  away  ;  — 

And  such  as  Zelica  had  on  that  day 

He  left  her  —  when,  with  heart  too  full  to  speak, 

He  took  away  her  last  warm  tears  upon  his  cheek. 

A  strange  emotion  stirs  within  him,  —  more 
Than  mere  comi^assion  ever  waked  before  ; 
Unconsciously  he  opes  his  arms,  while  she 
Springs  forward,  as  with  life's  last  energy, 
But,  swooning  in  that  one  convulsive  bound. 
Sinks,  ere  she  reach  his  arms,  upon  the  grou  id ;  — 
Her  veil  falls  off — her  faint  hands  clasj)  his  knees 
'T  is  she  herself!  —  't  is  Zelica  he  sees  ! 
But,  ah,  so  pale,  so  changed  —  none  but  a  lover 
Could  in  that  wreck  of  beauty's  shrine  discover 
The  once  adored  divinity  —  even  he 
Stood  for  some  moments  mute,  and  doubtingly 
Put  back  the  ringlets  from  her  brow,  and  gazed 
Upon  those  lids,  where  once  such  lustre  blazed. 
Ere  he  could  think  she  was  indeed  his  own, 
Own  darling  maid,  Avhom  he  so  long  had  known 
In  joy  and  sorrow,  beautiful  in  both  ; 
Who,  even  when  grief  was  heaviest  —  when  loth 
He  left  her  for  the  wars  — in  that  worst  hour 
Sat  in  her  sorrow  like  the  sweet  night-flower,^* 
Wlien  darkness  brings  its  weeping  glories  out, 
And  spreads  its  sighs  like  frankincense  about. 

"  Look  up,  my  Zelica  —  one  moment  show 


VEILED   PKOl'HET    OF   KIIOKASSAN.  73 

''  Those  gentle  eyes  to  me,  that  I  may  know 

'■  Thy  life,  thy  loveliness  is  not  all  gone, 

"  But  there,  at  least,  shines  as  it  ever  shone. 

"  Come,  look  upon  thy  Azim  —  one  deai'  glance, 

"  Like  those  of  old,  were  heaven  !  whatever  chance 

"  Hath  brought  thee  here,  oh,  't  was  a  blessed  one  ! 

"  There  —  my  loved   lii^s  —  they  move  —  that   kiss 

hath  run 
"  Like  the  first  shoot  of  life  through  every  vein, 
"  And  now  I  clasp  her,  mine,  all  mine  again. 
"  Oh  the  delight  —  now,  in  this  very  hour, 
"  When  had  the  whole  rich  world  been  in  my  power, 
"  I  should  have  singled  out  thee,  only  thee, 
"  From  the  whole  world's  collected  treasury  — 
"  To  have  thee  here  —  to  hang  thus  fondly  o'er 
'•  My  own,  best,  pm-est  Zelica  once  more  ! " 

It  was  indeed  the  touch  of  those  fond  lijDS 
Upon  her  eyes  that  chased  their  short  eclipse, 
And,  gradual  as  the  snow,  at  heaven's  breath. 
Melts  off  and  shows  the  azure  flowers  beneath, 
Her  lids  unclosed,  and  the  bright  eyes  were  seen 
Gazing  on  his  —  not,  as  they  late  had  been. 
Quick,  restless,  wild,  but  mournfully  serene  ; 
As  if  to  lie,  even  for  that  tranced  minute. 
So  near  his  heart,  had  consolation  in  it ; 
And  thus  to  wake  in  his  beloved  caress 
Took  from  her  soul  one  half  its  wretchedness. 
But.  when  she  heard  him  call  her  good  and  pure, 
Oh,  't  was  too  much  —  too  dreadful  to  endure  ! 


74  LALLA  ROOKII. 

Shudd'ring  she  broke  away  from  his  embrace, 
And,  hiding  with  both  hands  lier  guilty  face. 
Said,  in  a  tone  whose  anguish  would  have  riven 
A    heart    of   very    marble,     "  Pure  !  —  0    Heav- 
en ! " 

That  tone  —  those  looks  so  changed  —  the  wither- 
ing blight, 
That  sin  and  sorrow  leave  where'er  they  light ; 
The  dead  despondency  of  those  sunk  eyes, 
Where  once,  had  he  thus  met  her  by  surprise, 
He  would  have  seen  himself,  too  happy  boy, 
Reflected  in  a  thousand  lights  of  joy ; 
And  then  the  place,  —  that  bright,  unholy  jolace, 
Where  vice  lay  hid  beneath  each  winning  grace 
And  charm  of  luxury,  as  the  viper  weaves 
Its  wily  covering  of  sweet  balsam  leaves,  — ^^ 
All  struck  upon  his  heart,  sudden  and  cold 
As  death  itself;  —  it  needs  not  to  be  told  — 
No,  no  —  he  sees  it  all,  plain  as  the  brand 
Of  burning  shame  can  mark  —  whate'er  the  hand, 
That  could  from  Heaven  and  him  such  brightness 

sever, 
'T  is  done  —  to  Heaven  and  him  she  's  lost  forever ! 
It  was  a  dreadful  moment ;  not  the  tears. 
The  lingering,  lasting  misery  of  years 
Could  match  that  minute's  anguish  —  all  the  worst 
Of  sorrow's  elements  in  that  dark  burst 
Broke  o'er  his  soul,  and,  with  one  crash  of  fate, 
Laid  the  whole  hopes  of  his  life    osolate. 


,#^'~^ 


VEILED  PKOPHET  OF  KHOKASSAN.      75 

"  Oh !  curse  me  not,"  she  cried,  as  wild  he  tossed 
His  desperate  hand   towards  heaven  —  "  though  I 

am  lost, 
"  Think  not  that  guilt,  that  falsehood  made  me  fall, 
"  No,  no  —  'twas  grief,  'twas  madness  did  it  all  ! 
"  Nay,  doubt  me   not  —  though  all   thy  love  hath 

ceased  — 
"  I  know  it  hath  —  yet,  yet  believe,  at  least, 
"  That  every  spark  of  reason's  light  must  be 
"  Quenched  in  this  brain,  ere  I  could  stray  from 

thee. 
"  They-  told  me  thou  wert  dead  —  why,  Azui,  why 
"  Did  we  not,  both  of  us,  that  instant  die 
"  When  we  were  parted  ?  oh !  could'st  thou  but  know 
"  With  what  a  deep  devotedness  of  woe 
"  I  wept  thy  absence  —  o'er  and  o'er  again 
"  Thinking  of  thee,  still  thee,  till  thought  grew  pain, 
"  And  memory,  like  a  drop  that,  night  and  day, 
"  Falls  cold  and  ceaseless,  wore  my  heart  away. 
"  Did'st  thou  but  know  how  pale  I  sat  at  home, 
"  INIy  eyes  still  turned  the  way  thou  wert  to  come, 
"  And,  all  the  long,  long  night  of  hope  and  fear, 
"  Thy  voice  and  step  still  sounding  in  my  ear  — 
"  O  God  !  thou  would"st  not  wonder  that,  at  last, 
"  Wlien  every  hope  was  all  at  once  o'ercast, 
"  When  I  heard  frightful  voices  round  me  say 
"  Azim  is  dead  !  —  this  wretched  brain  gave  way, 
"  And  I  became  a  wreck,  at  random  driven, 
"  Without  one  glimpse  of  reason  or  of  Heaven  — 
"All  wild  — and  even  this  quenchless  love  within 


76  LALLA    ROOKH. 

"  Turned  to  foul  fires  to  light  me  into  sin.  I  — 

"  Thou   pitiest  me  —  I   knew   thou   would'st  —  that 

sky 
"  Hath  nought  beneath  it  half  so  lorn  as  I. 
"  The  fiend,  who  lured  me  hither  —  hist !  come  near, 
"  Or  thou  too,  thou  art  lost,  if  he  should  hear  — 
"  Told  me  such  things  —  oh  !  with  such  devilish  art. 
"  As  would  have  ruined  even  a  holier  heart  — 
"  Of  thee,  and  of  that  ever-radiant  sphere, 
"  Where  blessed  at  length,  if  I  but  served  him  here, 
"  I  should  forever  live  in  tliy  dear  sight, 
"  And  drink  from  those  pure  eyes  eternal  light. 
"  Think,  think  how  lost,  how  maddened  I  must  be, 
"  To  hope  that  guilt  could  lead  to  God  or  thee  ! 
"  Thou   weej^est  for   me  —  do    weep  —  oh,    that   I 

durst 
"  Kiss  off  that  tear  !  but,  no  —  these  lips  are  curst, 
"  They  must  not  touch  thee  ;  —  one  divine  caress, 
"  One  blessed  moment  of  forgetfulness 
"  I  've  had  within  those  arms,  and  that  shall  lie, 
"  Shrined  in  my  soul's  deep  memory  till  I  die  ; 
"  The  last  of  joy's  last  relics  here  below, 
''  The  one  sweet  drop,  in  all  this  waste  of  woe, 
"  My  heart  has  treasured  from  affection's  spring. 
"  To  soothe  and  cool  its  deadly  withering  ! 
"  But  thou  —  yes,  thou  must  go  —  forever  go  ; 
"  This  place  is  not  for  thee  —  for  thee  !  oh  no, 
"  Did  I  but  tell  thee  half,  thy  tortured  brain 
"  AVould  burn  like  mine,  and  mine  go  Avild  again  ! 
"  Enough,   that    Guilt    reigns    here  —  that    hearts, 

once  good. 


VEILED    PROPHET   OF   KIIORASSAN.  77 

"  Now  tainted,  chilled,  and  bi'oken,  are  his  food.  — 
"  Enough,  that  we  are  parted  —  that  there  rolls 
"  A  flood  of  headlong  fate  between  our  souls, 
"  Whose  darkness  severs  me  as  wide  from  thee 
"  As  hell  from  heaven,  to  all  eternity  !  " 

"  Zelica,  Zelica  ! "  the  youth  exclaimed, 
In  all  the  tortures  of  a  mind  inflamed 
Almost  to  madness  —  "  by  that  sacred  Heaven, 
"  Where  yet,  if  prayers  can  move,  thou  'It  be  for- 
given, 
"  As  thou  art  here  —  here,  in  this  writhing  heart, 
"  All  sinful,  wild,  and  ruined  as  thou  art ! 
"  By  the  remembrance  of  our  once  pure  love, 
"  Which,  like  a  church-yard  light,  still  burns  above 
"  The  grave  of  our  lost  souls  —  which  guilt  in  thee 
"  Cannot  extinguish,  nor  despair  in  me ! 
"  I  do  conjure,  implore  thee  to  fly  hence  — 
"  If  thou  hast  yet  one  spark  of  innocence, 

"  Fly  with  me  from  this  place  " 

"  With  thee  !  oh  bliss  ! 
"  T  is  worth  whole  years  of  torment  to  hear  this. 
"  What !  take  the  lost  one  with  thee  ?  —  let  her  rove 
"  By  thy  dear  side,  as  in  those  days  of  love, 
"  When  we  were  both  so  happy,  both  so  pure  — 
"  Too  heavenly  dream  !  if  there  's  on  earth  a  cure 
'.'  For  the  sunk  heart,  't  is  this  —  day  after  day 
"  To  be  the  blest  companion  of  thy  way ; 
"  To  hear  thy  angel  eloquence  —  to  see 
"  Those  virtuous  eyes  forever  turned  on  me  ; 


78  LALLA   ROOKH. 

"  And,  in  their  light  re-chastened  silently, 

"  Like  the  stained  web  that  whitens  in  the  sun, 

"  Grow  pure  by  being  purely  shone  upon  ! 

''  And  thou  wilt  pray  for  me  —  I  know  thou  wilt  — 

"  At  the  dim  vesper  hour,  when  thoughts  of  guilt 

"  Come  heaviest  o'er  the  heart,  thou  'It  lift  thine  eyes 

"  Full  of  sweet  tears,  unto  the  dark'ning  skies, 

"  And  plead  for  me  with  Heaven,  till  I  can  dare 

"  To  fix  my  own  weak,  sinful  glances  there ; 

"  Till  the  good  angels,  when  they  see  me  cling 

"  Forever  near  thee,  pale  and  sorrowing, 

"  Shall  for  thy  sake  pronounce  my  soul  forgiven, 

"  And  bid  thee  take  thy  weeping  slave  to  Heaven  ! 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  '11  fly  with  thee " 

Scarce  had  she  said 
These  breathless  words,  when  a  voice  deep  and  dread 
As  that  of  MoNKEK,  waking  up  the  dead 
From  their  first  sleep  —  so  startling  't  was  to  both  — 
Rung  through  the  casement  near,  "  Thy  oath !  thy 

oath  !  " 
O  Heaven,  the  ghastliness  of  that  Maid's  look !  — 
"  'T  is  he,"  faintly  she  cried,  while  terror  shook 
Her  inmost  core,  nor  durst  she  lift  her  eyes. 
Though  through  the  casement,  now,  nought  but  the 

skies 
And  moonlight  fields  were  seen,  calm  as  before  —   . 
"  'T  is  he,  and  I  am  his  —  all,  all  is  o'er  — 
"  Gro  —  fly  this  instant,  or  thou  'rt  ruined  too  — 
"  My  oath,  my  oath,  O  God  !  't  is  all  too  true, 


VEILED  rROPIIET   OF   KIlORASSxVN.  79 

"  True  as  the  worm  in  this  cold  heart  it  is  — 
"  I  am  Mokanna's  bride  —  his,  Azim,  his  — 
"  The  Dead  stood  round  us,  while  I  spoke  that  vow, 
"  Their  blue  lips  echoed  it  —  I  hear  them  now  ! 
"  Their  eyes  glared  on  me,  while  I  pledged  that  bowl, 
"  'T  was  burning  blood  —  I  feel  it  in  my  soul ! 
"  And  the  Veiled  Bridegroom  —  hist !  I  've  seen  to- 
night 
"  What  angels  know  not  of — so  foul  a  sight, 
"  So  horrible  —  oh  !  never  may'st  thou  see 
"  What  there  lies  hid  from  all  but  hell  and  me  ! 
"  But  I  must  hence  —  off,  off —  I  am  not  thine, 
"  Nor    Heaven's,   nor    Love's,   nor   aught    that    is 

divine  — 
"  Hold  me  not  —  ha  !  think'st  thou  the  fiends  that 

sever 
"  Hearts,  cannot  sunder  hands  ?  —  thus,  then  —  for- 
ever ! " 

With  all  that  strength,  which  madness  lends  the 

weak, 
She  flung  away  his  arm  ;  and,  with  a  shriek. 
Whose  sound,  though  he  should  linger  out  more 

years 
Than  wretch  e'er  told,  can  never  leave  his  ears  — 
Flew  up  through  that  long  avenue  of  light. 
Fleetly  as  some  dark,  ominous  bird  of  night, 
Across  the  sun,  and  soon  was  out  of  sisjht ! 


Lalla  Rookh  could  think  of  nothing  all  day  but 
the  misery  of  these  two  young  lovers.  Her  gayety 
was  gone,  and  she  looked  pensively  even  upon  Fad- 
LADEEN.  She  felt,  too,  without  knowing  why,  a  sort 
of  uneasy  pleasure  in  imagining  that  Azim  must 
have  been  just  such  a  youth  as  Feramorz  ;  just  as 
worthy  to  enjoy  all  the  blessings,  without  any  of  the 
pangs,  of  that  illusive  passion,  which  too  often,  like 
the  sunny  apples  of  Istkahar,^*^  is  all  sweetness  on 
the  one  side,  and  all  bitterness  on  the  other. 

As  they  passed  along  a  sequestered  river  after 
sunset,  they  saw  a  young  Hindoo  girl  upon  the 
bank,^'^  whose  emjjloynient  seemed  to  them  so  strange, 
that  they  stopped  their  palankeens  to  observe  her. 
She  had  lighted  a  small  lamp,  filled  with  oil  of  cocoa, 
and  placing  it  in  an  earthen  dish,  adorned  with  a 
wreath  of  flowers,  had  committed  it  with  a  trembling 
hand  to  the  stream ;  and  was  now  anxiously  watch- 
ing its  progress  down  the  current,  heedless  of  the 
gay  cavalcade  which  had  drawn  up  beside  her. 
Lalla  Rookh  was  all  curiosity;  —  when  one  of 
her  attendants,  who  had  lived  upon  the  banks  of  the 
Ganges,  (where  this  ceremony  is  so  frequent,  that 
often,  in  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  the  river  is  seen 


VEILED   PEOPHET    OF    KHOHASSAN.  81 

glittering  all  over  with  lights,  like  the  Oton-tala  or 
Sea  of  Stars,^*)  informed  the  Princess  that  it  was  the 
usual  way,  in  which  the  friends  of  those  who  had 
gone  on  dangerous  voyages  offered  up  vows  for  their 
safe  return.  If  the  lamp  sunk  immediately,  the 
omen  was  disastrous ;  but  if  it  went  shining  down 
the  stream,  and  continued  to  burn  till  entirely  out 
of  sight,  the  return  of  the  beloved  object  was  con- 
sidered as  certain. 

Lalla  Rookh,  as  they  moved  on,  more  than 
once  looked  back,  to  observe  how  the  young  Hin- 
doo's lamp  proceeded ;  and,  while  she  saw  with 
pleasure  that  it  was  still  unextinguished,  she  could 
not  help  fearing  that  all  the  hopes  of  this  life  were 
no  better  than  that  feeble  light  upon  the  river.  The 
remainder  of  the  journey  was  passed  in  silence. 
She  now,  for  the  first  time,  felt  that  shade  of  melan- 
choly, which  comes  over  the  youthful  maiden's  heart, 
as  sweet  and  transient  as  her  own  breath  upon  a 
mirror ;  nor  was  it  till  she  heard  the  lute  of  Fera- 
]\rORZ,  touched  lightly  at  the  door  of  her  pavilion, 
that  she  waked  from  the  reverie  in  which  she  had 
been  wandering.  Instantly  her  eyes  were  lighted 
up  with  pleasure ;  and,  after  a  few  unheard  remarks 
from  Fadladeen  upon  the  indecorum  of  a  jDoet 
seating  himself  in  presence  of  a  Princess,  everything 
was  arranged  as  on  the  preceding  evening,  and  all 
listened  with  eagerness,  while  the  story  was  thus 
continued :  — 

6 


Whose  are  the  gilded  tents  that  crowd  the  way, 
Where  all  was  waste  and  silent  yesterday  ? 
Tliis  City  of  War  which,  in  a  few  short  hours, 
Hath  sjjrung  up  here,®^  as  if  the  magic  powers 
Of  Him  who,  in  the  twinkling  of  a  star, 
Built  the  high  pillared  halls  of  Chilminar,^*'° 
Had  conjiu'ed  u]),  far  as  the  eye  can  see, 
This    world    of  tents,    and    domes,    and    sun-bright 

armory ;  — 
Princely  pa\ilions,  screened  by  many  a  fold 
Of  crimson  cloth,  and  topped  with  balls  of  gold  ;  — 
Steeds,  with  their  housings  of  rich  silver  spun. 
Their  chains  and  poitrels  glittering  in  the  sun ; 
And  camels,  tufted  o'er  with  Yemen's  shells,^°^ 
Shaking  in  every  breeze  their  light-toned  bells  ! 


But  yester-eve,  so  motionless  around, 
So  mute  was  this  wide  plain,  that  not  a  sound 
But  the  far  torrent,  or  the  locust-bird  ^°^ 
Hunting  among  the  thickets,  could  be  heard;  — 
Yet  hark  !  what  discords  now,  of  every  kind, 
Shouts,   laughs,   and   screams    are    revelling  in  th^ 

wind ; 
The  neigh  of  cavalry  ;  —  the  tinkling  throngs 
Of  laden  camels  and  their  drivers'  songs  ;  —  ^"'^ 


VEILED   rilOPHET   OF   KHORASSAX.  83 

Ringing  of  arms,  and  flapping"  in  the  breeze 
Of  streamers  from  ten  thousand  canopies  ;  — 
War-music,  bursting  out  from  time  to  time, 
With  gong  and  tymbalon's  tremendous  chime  ;  — 
Or,  in  the  pause,  wlien  harsher  sounds  are  mute, 
The  mellow  breathings  of  some  horn  or  flute, 
That  far  off,  broken  by  the  eagle  note 
Of  th'  Abyssinian  trumpet,^"*  swell  and  float. 

Who  leads  this  mighty  army  ?  —  ask  ye  "  who  ?  " 
And  mai'k  ye  not  those  banners  of  dark  hue. 
The  Night  and  Shadow,^"''  over  yonder  tent  ?  — r 
It  is  the  Caliph's  glorious  armament. 
Roused  in  his  Palace  by  the  dread  alarms, 
That  hourly  came,  of  the  false  Prophet's  arms, 
And  of  his  host  of  infidels,  who  hurled 
Defiance  fierce  at  Islam  ^^'^  and  the  world,  — 
Though  worn  with  Grecian  warfare,  and  behind 
The  veils  of  his  bright  Palace  calm  reclined, 
Yet  brooked  he  not  such  blasphemy  should  stain, 
Thus  unrevenged,  the  evening  of  his  reign  ; 
But,  having  sworn  upon  the  Holy  Grave,^"'^ 
To  conquer  or  to  perish,  once  more  gave 
His  shadowy  banners  proudly  to  the  breeze. 
And  with  an  army,  nursed  in  Adctories, 
Here  stands  to  crush  the  rebels  that  o'errun 
His  blest  and  beauteous  Province  of  the  Sun. 

Ne'er  did  the  march  of  Mahadi  display 
Such  pomp  before  ;  —  not  even  when  on  his  way 


/ 


84  LALLA   ROOKII. 

To  Mecca's  Temple,  when  both  land  and  sea 

Were  spoiled  to  feed  the  Pilgrim's  luxury  ;  ^°^ 

Wlien  round  him,  'mid  the  burning  sands,  he  saw 

Fruits  of  the  North  in  icy  freshness  thaw, 

And  cooled  his  thirsty  lip,  beneath  the  glow 

Of  Mecca's  sun,  with  urns  of  Persian  snow:^°^  — 

Nor  e'er  did  armament  more  grand  than  that 

Pour  from  the  kingdoms  of  the  Caliphat. 

First,  in  the  van,  the  People  of  the  Rock,^^° 

On  their  light  mountain  steeds,  of  royal  stock  :  "^ 

Then,  chieftains  of  Damascus,  proud  to  see 

The  flashing  of  their  swords'  rich  marquetry  ;  "'  — 

Men,  from  the  regions  near  the  Volga's  mouth, 

Mixed  with  the  rude,  black  archers  of  the  South ; 

And  Indian  lancers,  in  white-turbaned  ranks, 

From  the  far  Sinde,  or  Attock's  sacred  banks, 

With  dusky  legions  from  the  Land  of  Myrrh,^^^ 

And  many  a  niace-armed  Moor  and  Mid-sea  islander. 

Nor  less  in  number,  though  more  new  and  rude 
In  warfare's  school,  was  the  vast  multitude 
That,  fired  by  zeal,  or  by  oppression  wronged, 
Round  the  white  standard  of  th'  impostor  thronged. 
Beside  his  thousands  of  Believers  —  blind, 
Burninij  and  headlong  as  the  vSamiel  wind  — 
Many  who  felt,  and  more  who  feared  to  feel 
The  bloody  Islamite's  converting  steel. 
Flocked  to  his  banner  ;  —  Chiefs  of  th'  Uzbek  race. 
Waving  their  heron  crests  with  martial  grace ;  ^^* 
Turkomans,  countless  as  their  flocks,  led  forth 


VEILED    PKOPIIET    OF   KHORASSAN.  85 

From  th'  aromatic  pastures  of  the  North  ; 

Wild  warriors  of  the  turquoise  hills/^^  —  and  those 

Who  dAvell  beyond  the  everlasting  snows 

Of  IIixDOO  KosH,^^®  in  stormy  freedom  bred, 

Their  fort  the  rock,  their  camp  the  torrent's  bed. 

But  none,  of  all  who  owned  the  Chief's  command, 

Rushed  to  that  battle-field  with  bolder  hand, 

Or  sterner  hate,  than  Iran's  outlawed  men, 

Iler  AYorshippers  of  Fire,^"  —  all  panting  then 

For  vengeance  on  th'  accursed  Saracen  ; 

Vengeance  at  last  for  their  dear  country  spurned, 

Her   throne    usurped,  and  her    bright  shrines  o'er- 

turned. 
From  Yezd's  ^^^  eternal  ^Mansion  of  the  Fire, 
Where  aged  saints  in  dreams  of  heaven  expire  : 
From  Badku,  and  those  fountains  of  blue  flame 
That  burn  into  the  Caspian,^^^  fierce  they  came. 
Careless  for  what  or  whom  the  blow  was  sped, 
So  vengeance  triumphed,  and  their  tyrants  bled. 

Such  was  the  wild  and  miscellaneous  host, 
That  high  in  air  their  motley  banners  tost 
Around  the  Prophet-Chief — all  eyes  still  bent 
Upon  that  glittering  Veil,  where'er  it  went, 
That  beacon  through  the  battle's  stormy  flood. 
That  rainbow  of  the  field,  whose  showers  were  blood  ! 

Twice  hath  the  sun  upon  their  conflict  set. 
And  risen  again,  and  found  them  grappling  yet ; 
While  streams  of  carnage  in  his  noontide  blaze, 


86  LALLA   ROOKH. 

Smoke  up  to  heaven  —  hot  as  that  crimson  haze, 

By  which  the  prostrate  Caravan  is  awecl,'^° 

In  the  red  Desert,  when  the  wind  's  abroad. 

"  On,  Swords  of  God  !  "  the  panting  Caliph  calls,  — 

"Thrones    for    the    li^^ng  —  heaven   for    him    who 

falls  !  "  — 
"  On,  brave  avengers,  on,"  Mokanna  cries, 
"  And  Eblis  blast  the  recreant  slave  that  flies  ! " 
Now  comes  the  brunt,  the  crisis  of  the  day  — 
They    clash  —  they   strive  —  the    Caliph's    troops 

give  way  ! 
Mokanna's  self  plucks  the  black  Banner  down, 
And  now  the  Orient  World's  Imperial  crown 
Is  just  within  his  grasp  —  Avhen,  hark,  that  shout ! 
Some  hand  hath  checked  the  flying  Moslem's  rout ; 
And  now  they  turn,  they  rally  —  at  their  head 
A  warrior,  (like  those  angel  youths  who  led," 
In  glorious  panoply  of  Heaven's  own  mail, 
The    Champions    of    the    Faith    through     Blder's 

vale,i'^i) 
Bold  as  if  gifted  with  ten  thousand  lives. 
Turns  on  the  fierce  pursuers'  blades,  and  drives 
At  once  the  multitudinous  torrent  back  — 
"V^Hiile  hope  and  courage  kindle  in  his  track ; 
And,  at  each  step,  his  bloody  falchion  makes 
Terrible  vistas  through  which  victory  breaks  ! 
In  vain  Mokanna,  midst  the  general  flight. 
Stands,  like  the  red  moon,  on  some  stormy  night, 
Among  the  fugitive  clouds  that,  hurrying  by. 
Leave  only  her  unshaken  in  the  sky  — 


VEILED   PROPHET   OF   KHORASSAN.  87 

In  vain  he  yells  his  desperate  curses  out, 
Deals  death  promiscuously  to  all  about, 
To  foes  that  charge  and  coward  friends  that  fly, 
And  seems  of  all  the  Great  Arch-enemy. 
The  panic  spreads  —  "A  miracle  !  "  throughout 
The  Moslem  ranks,  "  a  miracle  !  "  they  shout, 
All  gazing  on  that  youth,  whose  coming  seems 
A  light,  a  glory,  such  as  breaks  in  dreams  ; 
And  every  sword,  true  as  o'er  billows  dim 
The  needle  tracks  the  loadstar,  following  him  ! 

Eight  towards  Mokanna  now  he  cleaves  his  path, 
Impatient  cleaves,  as  though  the  bolt  of  Avrath 
lie  bears  from  Heaven  withheld  its  awful  burst 
From  weaker  heads,  and  souls  but  half  way  curst. 
To  break  o'er  Him,  the  mightiest  and  the  worst  I 
But  vain  his  speed  —  though,  in  that  hour  of  blood, 
Had  all  God's  seraphs  round  Mokanna  stood. 
With  swords  of  fire,  ready  like  fate  to  fall, 
Mokan^na's  soul  would  have  defied  them  all. 
Yet  now,  the  rush  of  fugitives,  too  strong 
For  human  force,  hurries  even  him  along  ; 
In  vain  he  struggles  'mid  the  wedged  array 
Qf  flying  thousands  —  he  is  borne  away  ; 
And  the  sole  joy  his  baffled  spirit  knoAvs, 
In  this  forced  flight,  is  —  murdering  as  he  goes  ! 
As  a  grim  tiger,  whom  the  torrent's  might 
Surprises  in  some  parched  ravine  at  night, 
Turns,  even  in  drowning,  on  the  wretched  flocks, 
Swept  with  him'  in  that  snow-flood  from  the  rocks, 


88  LALLA  ROOKH. 

And,  to  the  last,  devouriTig  on  his  way, 
Bloodies  the  stream  he  hath  not  power  to  stay. 

"  Alia  ilia  Alia  !  "  —  the  glad  shout  renew  — 
"  Alia  Akbar  !  "  ^-'^  —  the  Caliph  's  in  Merou. 
Hang  out  your  gilded  tapestry  in  the  streets, 
And  light  your  shrines  and  chaunt  your  ziraleets.^'^^ 
The  swords  of  God  have  triumphed  —  on  his  throne 
Your  Caliph  sits,  and  the  veil'd  Chief  hath  flown. 
Who  does  not  envy  that  young  warrior  now, 
To  whom  the  Lord  of  Islam  bends  his  brow. 
In  all  the  graceful  gratitude  of  power. 
For  his  throne's  safety  in  that  perilous  hour  ? 
Who  doth  not  wonder,  when,  amidst  th'  acclaim 
Of  thousands,  heralding  to  heaven  his  nanie  — 
Mid  all  those  holier  harmonies  of  fame. 
Which  sound  along  the  path  of  virtuous  souls, 
Like  music  round  a  planet  as  it  rolls,  — 
He  turns  away  —  coldly,  as  if  some  gloom 
Hung  o'er  his  heart  no  triumphs  can  illume ;  — 
Some  sightless  grief,  upon  whose  blasted  gaze 
Though  glory's  light  may  play,  in  vain  it  plays  ? 
Yes,  wretched  Azim  !  thine  is  such  a  grief, 
Beyond  all  hope,  all  terror,  all  relief; 
A  dark,  cold  calm,  which  nothing  now  can  break. 
Or  warm  or  brighten,  —  like  that  Syrian  Lake,^-* 
Upon  whose  surface  morn  and  summer  shed 
Their  smiles  in  vain,  for  all  beneath  is  dead  !  — 
Hearts  there  have  been,  o'er  which  this  weight  of 
woe 


VEILED  PItOPHET   OF   KHORASSAN.  89 

Came  by  long  use  of  suffering,  tame  and  slow  ; 
But  thine,  lost  youth !  was  sudden  —  over  thee 
It  broke  at  once,  when  all  seemed  ecstasy ; 
'WTien  Hope  looked  up,  and  saw  the  gloomy  Past 
Melt  into  splendor,  and  Bliss  dawn  at  last  — 
'T  was  then,  even  then,  o'er  joys  so  freshly  blown, 
This  mortal  blight  of  misery  came  down  ; 
Even  then,  the  full,  warm  gushings  of  thy  heart 
Were   checked  —  like   fount-drops,  frozen   as    they 

start  — 
And  there,  like  them,  cold,  sunless  relics  hang, 
Each  fixed  and  chilled  into  a  lasting  pang. 


One  sole  desire,  one  passion  now  remains 
To  keep  life's  fever  still  within  his  veins. 
Vengeance  !  —  dire  vengeance   on  the   wretch  who 

cast 
O'er  him  and  all  he  loved  that  ruinous  blast. 
For  this,  when  rumors  reached  him  in  his  flight 
Far,  far  away,  after  that  fatal  night,  — 
Rumors  of  armies,  thronging  to  th'  attack 
Of  the  Veiled  Chief,  —  for  this  he  winged  him  back, 
Fleet  as  the  vulture  speeds  to  flags  unfurled. 
And,  when  all  hope  seemed  desperate,  wildly  hurled 
Himself  into  the  scale,  and  saved  a  world. 
For  this  he  still  lives  on,  careless  of  all 
The  wreaths  that  Glory  on  his  path  lets  fall ; 
For  this  alone  exists  —  like  lightning-fire. 
To  speed  one  bolt  of  vengeance,  and  expire ! 


90  LALLA    ROOKH. 

But  safe  as  yet  that  Spirit  of  Evil  lives  ; 

With  a  small  band  of  desj^erate  fugitives, 

The  last  sole  stubborn  fragment,  left  unriven, 

Of  the  proud  host  that  late  stood  fronting  Heaven, 

He  gained  Merou  —  breathed  a  short  curse  of  blood 

O'er   his    lost   throne  —  then   passed    the   Jihon's 
flood,i^5 

And  gathering  all,  whose  madness  of  belief 
Still  saw  a  Saviour  in  their  downfallen  Chief, 
Raised  the  white  banner  within  Neksheb's  gates,^^'' 
And  there,  untamed,  th'  approaching  conqu'ror  waits. 

Of  all  his  Harem,  all  that  busy  hive, 
"With  music  and  with  sweets  sparkling  alive, 
He  took  but  one,  the  partner  of  his  flight. 
One  —  not  for  love  —  not  for  her  beauty's  light  — 
No,  Zelica  stood  withering  midst  the  gay. 
Wan  as  the  blossom  that  fell  yesterday 
From  th'  Alma-tree  and  dies,  while  overhead 
To-day's  young  flower  is  springing  in  its  stead.-'-'' 
Oh,  not  for  love  —  the  deepest  damned  must  be 
Touched  with  heaven's  glory,  ere  such  fiends  as  he 
Can  feel  one  glimpse  of  Love's  divinity. 
But  no,  she  is  his  victim ;  there  lie  all 
Her  charms  for  him  —  charms  that  can  never  pall. 
As  long  as  hell  within  his  heart  can  stir. 
Or  one  faint  trace  of  Heaven  is  left  in  her. 
To  work  an  angel's  ruin,  —  to  behold 
As  white  a  page  as  Virtue  e'er  unrolled 
Blacken,  beneath  his  touch,  into  a  scroll 


YEII.ED   PROPHET   OF   KIIORASSAN.  91 

Of  damning  sins,  sealed  with  a  burning  soul  — 
This  is  his  triumph  ;  this  the  joy  accurst, 
That  ranks  him  among  demons  all  but  first : 
This  gives  the  victim,  that  before  him  lies 
Blighted  and  lost,  a  glory  in  his  eyes, 
A  light  like  that  with  which  hell-fire  illumes 
The  ghastly,  writhing  wretch  whom  it  consumes  ! 

But  other  tasks  now  wait  him  —  tasks  that  need 
All  the  deep  daringness  of  thought  and  deed 
With  which  the  Dives  ^-*  have  gifted  him  —  for  mark, 
Over  yon  plains,  which  night  had  else  made  dark, 
Those  lanterns,  countless  as  the  winged  lights 
That  spangle  India's  fields  on  showery  nights,^-^  — 
Far  as  their  formidable  gleams  they  shed. 
The  mighty  tents  of  the  beleaguerer  spread. 
Glimmering  along  th'  horizon's  dusky  line, 
And  thence  in  nearer  circles,  till  they  shine 
Among  the  founts  and  groves  o'er  which  the  town 
In  all  its  armed  magnificence  looks  down. 
Yet,  fearless,  from  his  lofty  battlements 
MoKANNA  views  that  midtitude  of  tents  ; 
Nay,  smiles  to  think  that,  though  entoiled,  beset, 
Not  less  than  myriads  dare  to  front  him  yet ; 
That  friendless,  throneless,  he  thus  stands  at  bay, 
Even  thus  a  match  for  myriads  such  as  they. 
"  Oh,  for  a  sweep  of  that  dark  Angel's  wing, 
"  \Ylio  brushed  the  thousands  of  th'  Assyrian  King  ^^ 
"  To  darkness  in  a  moment,  that  I  might 
"  People  hell's  chambers  with  yon  host  to-night ! 


92  LALLA   ROOKH. 

"  But,  come  what  may,  let  who  will  grasp  the  throne, 

"  Caliph  or  Prophet,  Man  alike  shall  groan  ; 

"  Let   who   will    torture    him,    Priest  —  Caliph  — 

King  — 
"  Alike  this  loathsome  world  of  his  shall  ring 
"  With  victims'  shrieks  and  howlings  of  the  slave,  — 
"  Sounds,  that  shall  glad  me  even  within  my  grave ! " 
Thus,  to  himself — but  to  the  scanty  train 
Still  left  around  him,  a  far  different  strain :  — 
"  Glorious  Defenders  of  the  sacred  Crown 
"  I  bear  from  Heaven,  whose  light  nor  blood  shall 

drown 
"  Nor  shadow  of  earth  eclipse  ;  —  before  whose  gems 
"  The  paly  pomp  of  this  world's  diadems, 
"  The  crown  of  Gerashid,  the  pillared  throne 
"  Of  Parviz,^'^^  and  the  heron  crest  that  shone,^*^ 
"  Magnificent,  o'er  Ali's  beauteous  eyes,^^^ 
"  Fade  like  the  stars  when  morn  is  in  the  skies  : 
"  Warriors,  rejoice  —  the  port  to  which  we  've  passed 
"  O'er  Destiny's  dark  wave,  beams  out  at  last ! 
"  Victory  's  our  own  —  't  is  written  in  that  Book 
"  Upon  whose  leaves  none  but  the  angels  look, 
"  That  Islam's  sceptre  shall  beneath  the  power 
"•  Of  her  great  foe  fall  broken  in  that  hour, 
''  When  the  moon's  mighty  orb,  before  all  eyes, 
"  From    Neksheb's    Holy   Well    portentously   shall 

rise  ! 

"  Now  turn  and  see  !  " 

They  turned,  and,  as  he  spoke, 
A  sudden  splendor  all  around  them  broke. 


VEILED   PROPHET    OF   KHORASSAN.  93 

And  they  beheld  an  orb,  ample  and  bright, 
Rise  from  the  Holy  Well,^**  and  cast  its  light 
Round  the  rich  city  and  the  plain  for  miles,  ^^^  — 
Flinging  such  radiance  o'er  the  gilded  tiles 
Of  many  a  dome  and  fair-roofed  minaret 
As  autumn  suns  shed  round  them  when  they  set. 
Instant  from  all  who  saw  th'  illusive  sign 
A  murmur  broke  —  "  INIiraculous  !  divine  !  " 
The  Gheber  bowed,  thinking  his  idol  star 
Had  waked,  and  burst  impatient  through  the  bar 
Of  midnight,  to  inflame  him  to  the  war ; 
AVhile  he  of  Moussa's  creed  saw,  in  tfiat  ray, 
The  glorious  Light  which,  in  his  freedom's  day, 
Had  rested  on  the  Ark,^^®  and  now  again 
Shone  out  to  bless  the  breaking  of  his  chain. 

"  To  victory  !  "  is  at  once  the  cry  of  all  — 
Nor  stands  Mokaxxa  loitering  at  that  call ; 
But  instant  the  huge  gates  are  flung  aside. 
And  forth,  like  a  diminutive  mountain-tide 
Into  the  boundless  sea,  they  speed  their  course 
Right  on  into  the  Moslem's  mighty  force. 
The  watchmen  of  the  camp,  —  who,  in  their  rounds, 
Had  paused,  and  even  forgot  the  punctual  sounds 
Of  the  small  drum  with  which  they  count  the  night,^^'' 
To  gaze  upon  that  supernatural  light,  — 
Now  sink  beneath  an  unexpected  arm, 
And  in  a  death-groan  give  their  last  alarm. 
"  On  for  the  lamps  that  light  yon  lofty  screen,^^^ 
"  Nor  blunt  your  blades  with  massacre  so  mean  ; 


94  LALLA   ROOKH. 

"  TJiere  rests  the  Caliph  —  speed  —  one  lucky  lance 
"  May  now  achieve  mankind's  deliverance." 
Desperate  the  die  —  such  as  they  only  cast, 
Who  venture  for  a  world,  and  stake  their  last. 
But  Fate  's  no  longer  with  him  —  blade  for  blade 
Springs  up  to  meet  them  through  the  glimmering 

shade, 
And,  as  the  clash  is  heard,  new  legions  soon 
Pour  to  the  spot,  like  bees  of  Kauzeroon  ^^' 
To  the  shrill  timbrel's  summons,  —  till,  at  length, 
The  mighty  camp  swarms  out  in  all  its  strength, 
And  back  to  Neksiieb's  gates,  covering  the  plain 
With  random  slaughter,  drives  the  adventurous  train; 
Among  the  last  of  whom  the  Silver  Veil 
Is  seen  glittering  at  times,  like  the  white  sail 
Of  some  tossed  vessel,  on  a  stormy  night. 
Catching  the  temj^est's  momentary  light ! , 

And  hath  not  ilds  brought  the  proud  spirit  low  ? 
Nor  dashed  his  brow,  nor  checked  his  daring  ?     No. 
Though  half  the  wretches,  whom  at  night  he  led 
To  thrones  and  victory,  lie  disgraced  and  dead, 
Yet  morning  hears  him  with  unshrinking  crest. 
Still  vaunt  of  thrones,  and  victory  to  the  rest ;  — 
And  they  believe  him  !  —  oh,  the  lover  may 
Distrust  that  look  which  steals  his  soul  away ;  — 
The  babe  may  cease  to  think  that  it  can  play 
With  heaven's  rainbow ;  —  alchemists  may  doubt 
The  shining  gold  their  crucible  gives  out ; 
But  Faith,  fanatic  Faith,  once  wedded  fast 
To  some  dear  falsehood,  hugs  it  to  the  last. 


VEILED  PROPHET  OF  KHORASSAN.      95 

And  well  th'  Impostor  kne-.v  all  lures  and  arts, 
That  Lucifer  e'er  taught  to  tangle  hearts ; 
Nor,  'mid  these  last  bold  workings  of  his  plot 
Against  men's  souls,  is  Zelica  forgot. 
Ill-fated  Zelica  !  had  reason  been 
Awake,  through  half  the  horrors  thou  hast  seen. 
Thou  never  couldst  have  borne  it  —  Death  had  come 
At  once,  and  taken  thy  wrung  spirit  home. 
But 't  was  not  so  —  a  torpor,  a  suspense 
Of  thought,  almost  of  life,  came  o'er  the  intense 
And  passionate  struggles  of  that  fearful  night, 
When  her  last  hope  of  peace  and  heaven  took  flight ; 
And  though,  at  times,  a  gleam  of  frenzy  broke,  — 
As  through  some  dull  volcano's  veil  of  smoke 
Ominous  flashings  now  and  then  will  start. 
Which  show  the  fire  's  still  busy  at  its  heart,  — 
Yet  was  she  mostly  wrapped  in  solenm  gloom ; 
Not  such  as  Azim's,  brooding  o'er  its  doom, 
And  calm  without,  as  is  the  brow  of  death, 
Wliile  busy  worms  are  gnawing  underneath  — 
But  in  a  blank  and  pulseless  torpor,  free 
From  thought  or  pain,  a  sealed-up  apathy, 
Which  left  her  oft,  with  scarce  one  living  thrill, 
The  cold,  pale  victim  of  her  torturer's  will. 

Again,  as  in  Mekou,  he  had  her  decked 
Gorgeously  out,  the  Priestess  of  the  sect ; 
And  led  her  glittering  forth  before  the  eyes 
Of  his  rude  train,  as  to  a  sacrifice,  — 
Pallid  as  she,  the  young,  devoted  Bride 


96  LALLA  ROOKH. 

Of  the  fierce  Nilk,  when,  decked  in  all  the  pride 

Of  nuptial  pomp,  she  sinks  into  his  tide.-^**^ 

And  while  the  wretched  maid  hung  down  her  head, 

And  stood,  as  one  just  risen  from  the  dead, 

Amid  that  gazing  crowd,  the  fiend  would  tell 

His  credulous  slaves  it  was  some  charm -or  spell 

Possessed  her  now,  and  from  that  darkened  trance 

Shoidd  dawn  ere  long  their  Faith's  deliverance. 

Or  if,  at  times,  goaded  by  guilty  shame. 

Her  soul  was  roused,  and  words  of  wildness  came, 

Instant  the  bold  blasphemer  would  translate 

Her  ravings  into  oracles  of  fate, 

Would  hail  Heaven's  signals  in  her  flashing  eyes, 

And  call  her  shrieks  the  language  of  the  skies  ! 

But  vain  at  length  his  arts  —  despair  is  seen 
Gathering  around ;  and  famine  comes  to  glean 
All  that  the  sword  had  left  unreaped  :  —  in  vain 
At  morn  and  at  eve  across  the  northern  plain 
He  looks  impatient  for  the  promised  spears 
Of  the  wild  Hordes  and  Tartar  mountaineers  ; 
They  come  not  —  while  his  fierce  beleaguerers  pour 
Engines  of  havoc  in,  unknown  before,^^^ 
And  horrible  as  new  ;  ^^'^  • — javelins,  that  fly 
Enwreathed  with  smoky  flames  through  the  dark  sky, 
And  red-hot  globes,  that,  opening  as  they  mount, 
Discharge,  as  from  a  kindled  Naphtha  fount,^*^ 
Showers  of  consuming  fire,  o'er  all  below  ; 
Looking,  as  through  th'  illumined  night  they  go. 
Like  those  wild  birds  ^**  that  by  the  Magians  oft, 


VEILED   PROPHET   OF   KHORASSAN.  97 

At  festivals  of  fire,  were  sent  aloft 
Into  the  air,  with  blazing  fagots  tied 
To  their  huge  wings,  scattering  combustion  wide. 
All  night  the  groans  of  wretches  who  expire 
In  agony,  beneath  these  darts  of  fire, 
Ring  through  the  city  —  while,  descending  o'er 
Its  shrines  and  domes  and  streets  of  sycamore,  — 
Its  lone  bazaars,  with  their  bright  cloths  of  gold, 
Since  the  last  peaceful  pageant  left  unrolled,  — 
Its  beauteous  marble  baths,  whose  idle  jets 
Now  gush  with  blood,  —  and  its  tall  minarets, 
That  late  have  stood  up  in  the  evening  glare 
Of  the  red  sun,  unhallowed  by  a  pi'ayer  ;  — 
O'er  each,  in  turn,  the  dreadful  flame-bolts  fall, 
And  death  and  conflagration  throughout  all 
The  desolate  city  hold  high  festival ! 

MoKANNA  sees  the  world  is  his  no  more  ;  — 
One  sting  at  parting,  and  his  grasp  is  o'er. 
"  What !  drooping  now  ?  "  —  thus,  with    imblushing 

cheek. 
He  hails  the  few,  who  yet  can  hear  him  speak. 
Of  all  those  famished  slaves  around  him  lying, 
And  by  the  light  of  blazing  temples  dying  ;  — 
"  What !  ■ —  droojjing   now  ?  —  now,  when    at  length 

we  press 
"  Home  o'er  the  very  threshold  of  success  ; 
"  When  Alla  from  our  ranks  hath  thinned  away 
"  Those  grosser  branches,  that  kept  out  his  ray 
"  Of  favor  from  us,  and  we  stand  at  length 
7 


98  LALLA  ROOKH. 

"  Heirs  of  his  light  and  children  of  his  strength, 

"  The  chosen  few,  who  shall  survive  the  fall 

"  Of  Ivings  and  Thrones,  triumphant  over  all ! 

"  Have  you  then  lost,  weak  murmurers  as  you  are, 

"  All  faith  in  him  who  was  your  Light,  your  Star  ? 

"  Have  you  forgot  the  eye  of  glory,  hid 

"  Beneath  this  Veil,  the  flashing  of  whose  lid 

"  Could,  like  a  sunstroke  of  the  desert,  wither 

"  Millions  of  such  as  yonder  Chief  brings  hither  ? 

"Long  have  its  lightnings  slept  —  too  long —  but  now 

"  All  earth  shall  feel  th'  unveiling  of  this  brow ! 

"  To-night  —  yes,  sainted  men  !  this  very  night, 

"  I  bid  you  all  to  a  fair  festal  rite, 

"  Where  —  having  deep  refx'eshed  each  weary  limb 

"  With  viands,  such  as  feast  heaven's  cherubim, 

"  And  kindled  up  your  souls,  now  sunk  and  dim, 

"  With  that  pure  wine  the  Dark-eyed  Maids  above 

"  Keep,  sealed  with  precious  musk,  for  those  they 

love,"^  — 
"  I  will  myself  uncurtain  in  your  sight 
"  The  wonders  of  this  brow's  ineffable  light ; 
"  Then  lead  you  forth,  and  with  a  wink  disperse 
"  Yon  myriads,  howling  through  the  universe  !  " 

Eager  they  listen  —  while  each  accent  darts 
New  life  into  their  chilled  and  hope-sick  hearts  ; 
Such  treacherous  life  as  the  cool  draught  supplies 
To  him  upon  the  stake,  who  drinks  and  dies  ! 
y/ildly  they  point  their  lances  to  the  light 
Of  the  fast-sinking  sun,  and  shout  "  To-night !  "^  — 


VEILED   PROPHET   OF  KHORASSAN.  99 

"  To-night,"  their  Chief  reechoes  in  a  voice 
Of  fiend-like  mockery  that  bids  hell  rejoice. 
Deluded  victims  !  —  never  hath  this  earth 
Seen  mourning  half  so  mournful  as  their  mirth. 
Here,  to  the  few,  whose  iron  frames  had  stood 
This  racking  waste  of  famine  and  of  blood, 
Faint,  dying  wretches  clung,  from  whom  the  shout 
Of  triumph  like  a  maniac's  laugh  broke  out :  — 
There,  others,  lighted  by  the  smould'ring  fire, 
Danced,  like  wan  ghosts  about  a  funeral -pyre, 
Among  the  dead  and  dying,  strewed  around  ;  — 
While  some  pale  wretch   looked  on,  and  from  his 

wound 
Plucking  the  fiery  dart  by  which  he  bled. 
In  ghastly  transport  waved  it  o'er  his  head  ! 

'T  was  more  than  midnight  now  —  a  fearful  pause 
Had  followed  the  long  shouts,  the  wild  applause, 
That  lately  from  those  Royal  Gardens  burst, 
Where  the  Veiled  demon  held  his  feast  accurst. 
When  Zelica  —  alas,  poor  ruined  heart, 
In  eveiy  horror  doomed  to  bear  its  part !  — 
Was  bidden  to  the  banquet  by  a  slave, 
Who,  while  his  quivering  lip  the  summons  gave, 
Grew  black,  as  though  the  shadows  of  the  grave 
Compassed  him  round,  and,  ere  he  could  repeat 
His  message  through,  fell  lifeless  at  her  feet ! 
Shuddering  she  went  —  a  soul-felt  pang  of  fear, 
A  presage  that  her  own  dark  doom  was  near. 
Roused  every  feeling,  and  brought  Reason  back 


100  LALLA  KOOKU. 

Once  more,  to  writhe  her  last  upon  the  rack. 

All    round    seemed    tranquil  —  even    the    foe    had 

ceased, 
As  if  aware  of  that  demoniac  feast, 
His  fiery  bolts ;  and  though  the  heavens  looked  red, 
'T  was  but  some  distant  conflagration's  spread. 
But  hark  —  she  stops  —  she  listens  —  dreadful  tone  ! 
'T  is  her  Tormentor's  laugh  —  and  now,  a  groan, 
A  long  death-groan  comes  with  it :  —  can  this  be 
The  place  of  mirth,  the  bower  of  revelry  ? 
She  enters  —  Holy  All  a,  what  a  sight 
Was  there  before  her  !     By  the  glimmering  light 
Of  the  pale  dawn,  mixed  with  the  flare  of  brands 
That  round  lay  burning,  dropped  from  lifeless  hands, 
She  saw  the  board,  in  splendid  mockery  spread, 
Rich  censers  breathing  — garlands  overhead  — 
The  urns,  the  cups,  from  which  they  late  had  quaffed 
All   gold   and   gems,   but  —  what    had    been   the 

draught ! 
Oh,  who  need  ask,  that  saw  those  livid  guests, 
With  their  swollen  heads  sunk  blackening  on  their 

breasts, 
Or  looking  pale  to  heaven  witli  glassy  glare, 
As  if  they  sought  but  saw  no  mercy  there  ; 
As  if  they  felt,  though  poison  racked  them  through, 
Remoi'se  the  deadlier  torment  of  the  two  ! 
While  some,  the  bravest,  hardiest  in  the  train 
Of  their  false  Chief,  who  on  the  battle-plain 
Would  have  met  death  with  transport  by  his  side, 
Here  mute  and  helpless  gasped  ;  —  but,  as  they  died, 


VEILED  PROPHET  OF  KHORASSAN.     101 

Looked   horrible    vengeance   with   their    eyes'   last 

strain, 
And  clinched  the  slackening  hand  at  him  in  vain.* 

Dreadful  it  was  to  see  the  ghastly  stare, 
The  stony  look  of  horror  and  despair. 
Which  some  of  these  expiring  victims  cast 
Upon  their  soids'  tormentor  to  the  last ;  — 
Upon  that  mocking  Fiend,  whose  Veil,  now  raised, 
Showed  them,  as  in  death's  agony  they  gazed. 
Not  the  long-promised  light,  the  brow,  whose  beam- 
ing 
Was  to  come  forth,  all  conquering,  all  redeeming, 
But  features  horribler  than  hell  e'er  traced 
On  its  own  brood  ;  —  no  Demon  of  the  Waste,^**' 
No  church-yard  Ghole,  caught  lingering  in  the  light 
Of  the  blest  sun,  e'er  blasted  human  sight 
With  lineaments  so  foid,  so  fierce  as  those 
Th'  impostor,  now  in  grinning  mockery,  shows  :  — 
"  There,    ye  wise    Saints,  behold  your   Light,  your 

Star  — 
"  Ye  would  be  dupes  and  victims,  and  ye  are. 
"  Is  it  enough  ?  or  must  I,  while  a  thrill 
"  Lives  in  your  sapient  bosoms,  cheat  you  still  ? 
"  Swear  that  the  burning  death  ye  feel  within 
"  Is  but  the  trance  with  which  heaven's  joys  begin  ; 
"  That  this  foul  visage,  foul  as  e'er  disgraced 
"  Even  monstrous  man,  is  —  after  God's  own  taste  ; 
"  And  that  —  but  see  !  —  ere  I  have  half-way  said 
"My  greetings  through,   th'  uncourteous   souls   are 
fled. 


102  LALLA  EOOKH. 

''  Farewell,  sweet  spirits  !  not  in  vain  ye  die, 

"  If  Eblis  loves  you  half  so  well  as  I.  — 

"  Ha,  my  young  bride  !  — 't  is  well  —  take  thou  thy 

seat ; 
"  Nay,  come  -^  no   shuddering  —  didst   thou    never 

meet 
"  The    dead   before  ?  —  they   graced    our   wedding, 

sweet ; 
"  And  these,  my  guests  to-night,  have   brimmed   so 

true 
"  Their  parting  cups,  that  thou  shalt  pledge  one  too. 
"•  But  —  how  is  this  ?  —  all  empty  ?  all  drunk  up  ? 
"  Hot  lips  have  been  before  thee  in  the  cup, 
"  Young  bride  —  yet  stay  —  one  precious  drop  re- 
mains, 
"  Enough  to  warm  a  gentle  Priestess'  veins  ;  — 
"  Here,  drink  —  and  should  thy  lover's  conquering 

arms 
"  Speed  hither,  ere  thy  lip  lose  all  its  charms, 
"  Give  him  but  half  this  venom  in  thy  kiss, 
"  And  I  '11  forgive  my  haughty  rival's  bliss  ! 

"  For  me  —  I  too  must  die  —  but  not  like  these 
"  Vile,  rankling  things,  to  fester  in  the  breeze ; 
"  To  have  this  brow  in  ruffian  triumph  shown, 
"  With  all  death's  grimness  added  to  its  own, 
"  And  rot  to  dust  beneath  the  taunting  eyes 
"  Of  slaves,  exclaiming,  '  There  his  Godship  lies  ! ' 
"  No  —  cursed    race  —  since    first    my   soul    drew 
breath. 


VEILED  PROPHET   OF    KHORASSAN.  103 

"  They  've  been  my  dupes,  and   shall  be   even   in 

death.     . 
"  Thou  see'st  yon  cistern  in  the  shade  —  't  is  filled 
"With    burning    drugs,    for    this     last    hour    dis- 
tilled :  1*'  — 
"  There  will  I  plunge  me,  in  that  liquid  flame  — 
"  Fit  bath  to  lave  a  dying  Prophet's  frame  !  — 
"  There  perish,  all  —  ere  pulse  of  thine  shall  fail  — 
"  Nor  leave  one  limb  to  tell  mankind  the  tale. 
"  So  shall  my  votaries,  wheresoe'er  they  rave, 
"  Proclaim    that    Heaven    took    back    the     Saint   it 

gave; 
"  That  I  've  but  vanished  from  this  earth  awhile, 
"  To  come  again,  with  bright,  unshrouded  smile ! 
"  So  shall  they  build  me  altars  in  their  zeal, 
'•  Where  knaves  shall  minister,  and  fools  shall  kneel ; 
"  Where  Faith  may  mutter  o'er  her  mystic  spell, 
"  Written  in  blood  —  and  Bigotry  may  swell 
"  The  sail  he  spreads  for  heaven  with  blasts  from 

hell! 
''  So  shall  my  banner,  through  long  ages,  be 
"  The  rallying  sign  of  fraud  and  anarchy  ;  — 
"  Kings  yet  unborn  shall  rue  Mokanna's  name, 
"  And,  though  I  die,  my  spirit,  still  the  same, 
"  Shall  walk  abroad  in  all  the  stormy  strife, 
"  And  guilt,  and  blood,  that  were  its  bliss  in  life. 
''  But,   hark !   their    battering    engine    shakes    the 

wall  — 
"  Why,  let  it  shake  —  thus  I  can  brave  them  all. 
"  No  trace  of  me  shall  greet  them,  when  they  come, 


104  LALLA   ROOKH. 

"  And  I  can  trust  thy  faith,  for  —  thou  'It  be  dumb. 
"  Now  mark  how  readily  a  wretch  like  me, 
"  In  one  bold  plunge,  commences  Deity  !  " 

He   sprung   and   sunk,  as   the   last  words   were 
said  — 
Quick  closed  the  burning  waters  o'er  his  head, 
And  Zelica  was  left  —  within  the  ring 
Of  those  wide  walls  the  only  living  thing  ; 
The  only  wretched  one,  still  cursed  with  breath, 
In  all  that  frightful  wilderness  of  death  ! 
More  like  some  bloodless  ghost  —  such  as,  they  tell, 
In  the  Lone  Cities  of  the  Silent  ^*^  dwell. 
And  there,  unseen  of  all  but  Alla,  sit 
Each  by  its  own  pale  carcass,  watching  it. 

But  morn  is  up,  and  a  fresh  warfare  stirs 
Throughout  the  camp  of  the  beleaguerers. 
Their  globes  of  fire  (the  dread  artillery  lent  « 

By  Greece  to  conquering  Mahadi)  are  spent ; 
And  now  the  scorpion's  shaft,  the  quarry  sent 
From  high  balistas,  and  the  shielded  throng 
Of  soldiers  swinging  the  huge  ram  along, 
All  speak  th'  impatient  Islamite's  intent 
To  try,  at  length,  if  tower  and  battlement 
And  bastioned  wall  be  not  less  hard  to  win. 
Less  tough  to  break  down  than  the  hearts  within. 
First  in  impatience  and  in  toil  is  he. 
The  burning  Azim  —  oh  !  could  he  but  see 
Th'  Impostor  once  alive  within  his  grasp, 


VEILED  PROPHET   OF   KHORASSAX.  105 

Not  the  gaunt  lion's  hug.  nor  boa's  clasp, 

Could  match  that  gripe  of  vengeance,  or  keep  pace 

With  the  fell  heartiness  of  Hate's  embrace  ! 

Loud  rings  the  ponderous  ram  against  the  walls  ; 
Now  shake  the  ramparts,  now  a  buttress  falls, 
But   still  '  no   breach  —  "  Once   more,   one    mighty 

swing 
"  Of  all  your  beams,  together  thundering  !  " 
There  —  the    wall    shakes  —  the    shouting    troops 

exult, 
"  Quick,  quick  discharge  your  weightiest  catapult 
"  Right  on  that  spot,  and  Neksheb  is  our  own  !  " 
'T  is  done  —  the  battlements  come  crashing  down, 
And  the  huge  wall,  by  that  stroke  riven  in  two. 
Yawning,  like  some  old  crater,  rent  anew. 
Shows  the  dim,  desolate  city  smoking  through. 
But  strange  !  no  signs  of  life  —  naught  living  seen 
Above,  below  —  what  can  this  stillness  mean  ? 
A  minute's  pause  suspends  all  hearts  and  eyes  — 
"  In  through  the  breach,"  impetuous  Azim  cries  ; 
But  the  cool  Caliph,  fearful  of  some  wile 
In  this  blank  stillness,  checks  the  troops  awhile.  — 
Just  then,  a  figure,  with  slow  step,  advanced 
Forth  from  the  ruined  walls,  and,  as  there  glanced 
A  sunbeam  over  it,  all  eyes  could  see 
The  well-known  Silver  Veil !  —  "  'T  is  He,  't  is  He, 
"  MoKANNA,  and  alone  !  "  they  shout  around  ; 
Young  AziJi  from  his  steed  springs  to  the  ground, — 
"  Mine,  Holy  Caliph  !  mine,"  he  cries,  "  the  task 


106  LALLA  ROOKH. 

"  To  crush  yon  daring  wretch  —  't  is  all  I  ask." 
Eager  he  darts  to  meet  the  demon  foe, 
Who  still  across  wide  heaps  of  ruin  slow 
And  falteringly  comes,  till  they  are  near ;     , 
Then,  with  a  bound,  rushes  on  Azm's  spear, 
And,  casting  off  the  Veil  in  falling,  shows  — 
Oh  !  —  't  is  his  Zelica's  life-blood  that  flows  ! 

"  I  meant  not,  Azim,"  soothingly  she  said, 
As  on  his  trembling  arm  she  leaned  her  head, 
And,  looking  in  his  face,  saw  anguish  there 
Beyond  all  wounds  the  quivering  flesh  can  bear,  — 
''  I  meant  not  thou  shouldst  have  the  pain  of  this  :  — 
"  Though  death,  with  thee  thus  tasted,  is  a  bliss 
"  Thou  wovfldst  not  rob  me  of,  didst  thou  but  know 
"  How  oft  I  've  prayed  to  God  I  might  die  so  ! 
"  But  the  Fiend's  venom  was  too  scant  and  slow ;  — 
"  To  linger  on  were  maddening  —  and  I  thought 
"  If  once  that  Veil  —  nay,  look  not  on  it  —  caught 
"  The  eyes  of  your  fierce  soldiery,  I  should  be 
"  Struck  by  a  thousand  death-darts  instantly. 
"  But  this  is  sweeter  —  oh  !  believe  me,  yes  — 
"  I  would  not  change  this  sad,  but  dear  caress, 
"  This  death  within  thy  arms  I  would  not  give 
"  For  the  most  smiling  life  the  happiest  live  ! 
'■  All,  that  stood  dark  and  drear  before  the  eye 
"  Of  my  strayed  soul,  is  passing  swiftly  by  ; 
"  A  light  comes  o'er  me  from  those  looks  of  love, 
"  Like  the  first  dawn  of  mercy  from  above  ; 
"  And  if  thy  lips  but  tell  me  I  'm  forgiven, 


VEILED  PROPHET   OF   KHORASSAN.  107 

"  Angels  will  echo  the  blest  words  in  heaven  ! . 

"  But  live,  my  Azim  ;  —  oh  !  to  call  thee  mine 

"  Thus  once  again  !  my  Azim  —  dream  divine  ! 

"  Live,  if  thou  ever  lov'dst  me,  if  to  meet 

"  Thy  Zelica  hereafter  would  be  sweet, 

"  Oh,  live  to  pray  for  her  —  to  bend  the  knee 

"  Morning  and  night  before  that  Deity, 

"  To  whom  pure  lips  and  hearts  without  a  stain, 

"  As  thine  are,  Azim,  never  breathed  in  vain,  — 

"  And  pray  that  He  may  pardon  her,  —  may  take 

"  Compassion  on  her  soul  for  thy  dear  sake, 

"  And,  naught  remembering  but  her  love  to  thee, 

"  Make  her  all  thine,  all  His,  eternally  ! 

"  Go  to  those  happy  fields  where  first  we  twined 

"  Our  youthful  hearts  together  —  every  wind 

"  That  meets  thee  there,  fresh  from  the  well-known 

flowers, 
"  Will  bring  the  sweetness  of  those  innocent  hours 
"  Back  to  thy  soul,  and  mayst  thou  feel  again 
"  For  thy  poor  Zelica  as  thou  didst  then. 
"  So  shall  thy  orisons,  like  dew  that  flies 
"  To  heaven  upon  the  morning's  sunshine,  rise 
"  With  all  love's  earliest  ardor  to  the  skies ! 
"  And  should  they  —  but,  alas,  my  senses  fail  — 
"  Oh,  for  one  minute  !  —  should   thy    prayers   pre- 
vail — 
"  If  pardoned  souls  may,  from  that  World  of  Bliss, 
"  Reveal  their  joy  to  those  they  love  in  this  — 
"  I  '11  come  to  thee  —  in  some  sweet  dream  —  and 
tell  — 


108  LALLA   ROOKH. 

"  Oh,  Heaven  —  I  die  —  dear  love  !    farewell,  fare- 
well." 

Time  fleeted  —  years  on  years  had  passed  away, 
And  few  of  those  who,  on  that  mournful  day, 
Had  stood,  with  pity  in  their  eyes,  to  see 
The  maiden's  death,  and  the  youth's  agony. 
Were  living  still  —  when,  by  a  rustic  grave, 
Beside  the  swift  Amoo's  transparent  wave. 
An  aged  man,  who  had  grown  aged  there 
By  that  lone  grave,  morning  and  night  in  prayer. 
For  the  last  time  knelt  down  —  and,  though    the 

shade 
Of  death  hung  darkening  over  him,  there  played 
A  gleam  of  rapture  on  his  eye  and  cheek, 
That  brightened  even  Death  —  like  the  last  streak 
Of  intense  glory  on  the  horizon's  brim. 
When  night  o'er  all  the  rest  hangs  chill  and  dim. 
His  soul  had  seen  a  Vision,  while  he  slept ; 
She,  for  whose  spirit  he  had  prayed  and  wept 
So  many  years,  had  come  to  him,  all  drest 
In  angel  smiles,  and  told  him  she  was  blest ! 
For    this   the    old    man    breathed  his    thanks,    and 

died. — 
And  there,  upon  the  banks  of  that  loved  tide, 
He  and  his  Zelica  sleep  side  by  side. 


T^^^ 


'♦  i( 


The  story  of  the  "  Veiled  Prophet  of  Kliorassan  " 
being  ended,  they  were  now  doomed  to  hear  Fau- 
ladeen's  criticisms  upon  it.  A  series  of  disappoint- 
ments and  accidents  had  occurred  to  this  learned 
Chamberlain  during  the  journey.  In  the  first  place, 
those  couriers  stationed,  as  in  the  reign  of  Shah 
Jehan,  between  Delhi  and  the  Western  coast  of  In- 
dia, to  secure  a  constant  supply  of  mangoes  for  the 
Ivoyal  Table,  had,  by  some  cruel  irregularity,  failed 
in  their  duty  ;  and  to  eat  any  mangoes  but  those  of 
Mazagong  was,  of  course,  impossible.^*^  In  the  next 
jjlace,  the  elephant,  laden  Avith  his  fine  antique 
porcelain,-'""  had,  in  an  unusual  fit  of  liveliness,  shat- 
tered the  whole  set  to  pieces,  —  an  irreparable  loss, 
as  many  of  the  vessels  were  so  exquisitely  old,  as  to 
have  been  used  imder  the  Emperors  Yan  and  Chun, 
who  reigned  many  ages  before  the  dynasty  of  Tang. 
His  Koran,  too,  supposed  to  be  the  identical  copy 
between  the  leaves  of  which  Mahomet's  favorite 
pigeon  used  to  nestle,  had  been  mislaid  by  his 
Koran-bearer  three  whole  days  ;  not  without  much 
spiritual  alarm  to  Fadladeen,  who,  though  jDrofess- 
ing  to  hold  with  other  loyal  and  orthodox  Mussul- 
mans,  that   salvation    could    only   be    found  in    the 


110  LALLA  ROOKH. 

Koran,  was  strongly  suspected  of  believing  in  his 
heart  that  it  could  only  be  found  in  his  own  par- 
ticular copy  of  it.  When  to  all  these  grievances  is 
added  the  obstinacy  of  the  cooks,  in  putting  the  pep- 
per of  Canara  into  his  dishes  instead  of  the  cinna- 
mon of  Serendib,  we  may  easily  suppose  that  he 
came  to  the  task  of  criticism  with,  at  least,  a  suffi- 
cient degree  of  irritability  for  the  purpose. 

"  In  order,"  said  he,  importantly  swinging  about 
his  chaplet  of  pearls,  "  to  convey  with  clearness  my 
opinion  of  the  story  this  young  man  has  related,  it  is 
necessary  to  take  a  review  of  all  the  stories  that 
have  ever  " "  My  good  Fadladeen  !  "  ex- 
claimed the  Princess,  interrupting  him,  "  we  really 
do  not  deserve  that  you  should  give  yourself  so 
much  trouble.  Your  opinion  of  the  poem  we  have 
just  heard  will,  I  have  no  doubt,  be  abundantly  edi- 
fying, without  any  further  waste  of  your  valuable 
erudition."  —  "If  that  be  all,"  replied  the  critic, — 
evidently  mortified  at  not  being  allowed  to  show  how 
much  he  knew  about  everything  but  the  subject  im- 
mediately before  him, —  "if  that  be  all  that  is  required, 
the  matter  is  easily  dispatched."  He  then  proceeded 
to  analyze  the  poem,  in  that  strain  (so  well  known 
to  the  unfortunate  bards  of  Delhi),  whose  censures 
were  an  infliction  from  which  few  recovered,  and 
whose  very  praises  were  like  the  honey  extracted 
from  the  bitter  flowers  of  the  aloe.  The  chief  per- 
sonages of  the  story  were,  if  he  rightly  imderstood 


LALLA   ROOKII.  Ill 

them,  an  ill-favored  gentleman,  with  a  veil  over  his 
face  ;  —  a  young  lady,  whose  reason  went  and  came, 
according  as  it  suited  the  poet's  convenience  to  be 
sensible  or  otherwise  ;  —  and  a  youth  in  one  of  those 
hideous  Bucharian  bonnets,  who  took  the  aforesaid 
gentleman  in  a  veil  for  a  Divinity.  "  From  such  ma- 
terials," said  he,  "  what  can  be  expected  ?  —  after  ri- 
valling each  other  in  long  speeches  and  absurdities 
through  some  thousands  of  lines  as  indigestible  as 
the  filberts  of  Berdaa,  our  friend  in  the  veil  jumps 
into  a  tub  of  aquafortis  ;  the  young  lady  dies  in  a 
set  speech,  whose  only  recommendation  is  that  it  is 
her  last ;  and  the  lover  lives  on  to  a  good  old  age, 
for  the  laudable  purpose  of  seeing  her  ghost,  which 
he  at  last  happily  accomplishes,  and  expires.  This, 
you  will  allow,  is  a  fair  summary  of  the  story ;  and 
if  Nasser,  the  Arabian  merchant,  told  no  better,  our 
Holy  Prophet  (to  whom  be  all  honor  and  glory ! ) 
had  no  need  to  be  jealous  of  his  abilities  for  story- 
telling." 151 

With  respect  to  the  style,  it  was  worthy  of  the 
matter;  —  it  had  not  even  those  politic  contrivances 
of  structure,  which  make  up  for  the  commonness  of 
the  thoughts  by  the  peculiarity  of  the  manner,  nor 
that  stately  poetical  phraseology  by  which  sentiments 
mean  in  themselves,  like  the  blacksmith's  i^"  apron 
converted  into  a  banner,  are  so  easily  gilt  and  em- 
broidered into  consequence.  Then,  as  to  the  versi- 
fication, it  was,  to  say  no  worse  of  it,  execrable :  it 


112  LALLA  ROOKH. 

had  neither  the  copious  flow  of  Ferdosi,  the  sweet- 
ness of  Hafez,  nor  the  sententious  march  of  Sadi ; 
but  appeared  to  hini,  in  the  inieasy  heaviness  of  its 
movements,  to  have  been  modelled  upon  the  gait  of 
a  very  tired  dromedary.  The  licenses,  too,  in  which 
it  indulged,  were  unpardonable  ;  —  for  instance  this 
line,  and  the  poem  abounded  with  such  :  — 

Like  the  faint,  exquisite  music  of  a  dream. 

"  What  critic  that  can  count,"  said  Fadladeen, 
"  and  has  his  full  complement  of  fingers  to  count 
withal,  would  tolerate  for  an  instant  such  syllabic 
superfluities  ?  "  —  He  here  looked  round,  and  dis- 
covered that  most  of  his  audience  were  asleep ;  while 
the  glimmering  lamps  seemed  inclined  to  follow  their 
example.  It  became  necessary,  therefore,  however 
painful  to  himself,  to  put  an  end  to  his  valuable  ani- 
madversions for  the  present,  and  he  accordingly  con- 
cluded, with  an  air  of  dignified  candor,  thus  :  — 
"  Notwithstanding  the  observations  which  I  have 
thought  it  my  duty  to  make,  it  is  by  no  means  my 
^vish  to  discourage  the  young  man  :  —  so  far  from  it, 
indeed,  that  if  he  will  but  totally  alter  his  style  of 
writing  and  thinking,  I  have  very  little  doubt  that  I 
shall  be  vastly  pleased  with  him." 

Some  days  elapsed,  after  this  harangue  of  the 
Great  Chamberlain,  before  Lalla  Rookh  could 
venture  to  ask  for  another  story.  The  youth  was 
still  a  welcome  guest  in  the  pavilion  —  to  one  heart, 


LALLA   ROOKH.  113 

perhaps,  too  dangerously  welcome; — but  all  mention 
of  poetry  was,  as  if  by  common  consent,  avoided. 
Though  none  of  the  party  had  much  respect  for 
Fadladeen,  yet  his  censures,  thus  magisterially  de- 
livered, evidently  made  an  impression  on  them  all. 
The  Poet  himself,  to  whom  criticism  was  quite  a  new 
operation,  (being  wholly  unknown  in  that  Paradise 
of  the  Indies,  Cashmere,)  felt  the  shock  as  it  is  gen- 
erally felt  at  first,  till  use  has  made  it  more  tolerable 
to  the  patient ;  —  the  Ladies  began  to  suspect  that 
they  ought  not  to  be  pleased,  and  seemed  to  conclude 
that  there  must  have  been  much  good  sense  in  what 
Fadladeen  said,  from  its  having  set  them  all  so 
soundly  to  sleep ;  —  while  the  self-complacent  Cham- 
berlain was  left  to  triumph  in  the  idea  of  having,  for 
the  hundred  and  fiftieth  time  in  his  life,  extinguished 
a  Poet.  Lalla  Rookh  alone  —  and  Love  knew 
why  —  persisted  in  being  delighted  with  all  she  had 
heard,  and  in  resolving  to  hear  more  as  speedily  as 
possible.  Her  manner,  however,  of  first  returning 
to  the  subject  was  unlucky.  It  was  while  they  rested 
during  the  heat  of  noon  near  a  fountain,  on  which 
some  hand  had  rudely  traced  those  well-known 
words  from  the  Garden  of  Sadi,  —  "  Many,  like  me, 
have  viewed  this  fountain,  but  they  are  gone,  and 
their  eyes  are  closed  forever!"  —  that  she  took  occa- 
sion, from  the  melancholy  beauty  of  this  passage,  to 
dwell  upon  the  charms  of  poetry  in  general.  "  It  is 
true,"  she  said,  "  few  poets  can  imitate  that  sublime 
bird,  which  flies  always  in  the  air,  and  never  touches 


114  LALLA   ROOKH. 

the  earth  i^''* — it  is  only  once  in  many  ages  a  Genius 
appears,  whose  words,  like  those  on  the  Written 
Mountain,  last  forever :  ^^*  —  but  still  there  are  some, 
as  delightful,  perhaps,  though  not  so  wonderful,  who, 
if  not  stars  over  our  head,  are  at  least  flowers  along 
our  path,  and  whose  sweetness  of  the  moment  we 
ought  gratefully  to  inhale,  without  calling  upon  them 
for  a  brightness  and  a  durability  beyond  their  nature. 
In  short,"  continued  she,  blushing,  as  if  conscious  of 
being  caught  in  an  oration,  "  it  is  quite  cruel  that  a 
poet  cannot  wander  through  his  regions  of  enchant- 
ment, Avithout  having  a  critic  forever,  like  the  Old 
Man  of  the  Sea,  upon  his  back ! "  ^^^  —  Fadladeen, 
it  was  plain,  took  this  last  luckless  allu.sion  to  him- 
self, and  would  treasure  it  up  in  his  mind  as  a  whet- 
stone for  his  next  criticism.  A  sudden  silence 
ensued ;  and  the  Princess,  glancing  a  look  at  Fera- 
MORz,  saw  plainly  she  must  wait  for  a  more  coura- 
geous moment. 

But  the  glories  of  Nature,  and  her  wild,  fragrant 
airs,  playing  freshly  over  the  current  of  youthful 
spirits,  will  soon  heal  even  deeper  wounds  than  the 
dull  Fadladeens  of  this  world  can  inflict.  In  an 
evening  or  two  after,  they  came  to  the  small  Valley 
of  Gardens,  which  had  been  planted  by  order  of  the 
Emperor,  for  his  favorite  sister  Kochinara,  during 
their  progress  to  Cashmere,  some  years  before  ;  and 
never  was  there  a  more  sparkling  assemblage  of 
sweets,  since  the  Gulzar-e-Irem,  or  Rose-bower  of 


LALLA   ROOKH.  115 

Irem.  Every  precious  flower  was  there  to  be  found 
that  poetry,  or  love,  or  religion,  has  ever  conse- 
crated ;  from  the  dark  hyacinth,  to  which  Hafez 
compares  his  mistress's  hair,^^®  to  the  Gamalata,  by 
whose  rosy  blossoms  the  heaven  of  Indra  is  scented.-'^'' 
As  they  sat  in  the  cool  fragrance  of  this  delicious 
spot,  and  Lalla  Rookh  remarked  that  she  could 
fancy  it  the  abode  of  that  Flower-loving  Nymph 
whom  they  worship  in  the  temples  of  Kathay,^^^  or 
of  one  of  those  Peris,  those  beautiful  creatures  of 
the  air,  who  live  upon  perfumes,  and  to  whom  a 
place  like  this  might  make  some  amends  for  the 
Paradise  they  have  lost,  —  the  young  Poet,  in  whose 
eyes  she  appeared,  while  she  spoke,  to  be  one  of  the 
bright  spiritual  creatures  she  was  describing,  said 
hesitatingly  that  he  remembei'ed  a  Story  of  a  Peri, 
which,  if  the  Princess  had  no  objection,  he  would 
venture  to  relate.  "  It  is,"  said  he,  with  an  appeal- 
ing look  to  Fadladeen,  "  in  a  lighter  and  humbler 
strain  than  the  other ;  "  then,  striking  a  few  careless 
but  melancholy  chords  on  his  kitar,  he  thus  be- 
gan:— 


PARADISE   AND   THE   PERI. 


One  morn  a  Peri  at  the  gate 
Of  Eden  stood,  disconsolate ; 
And  as  she  Hstened  to  the  Springs 

Of  Life  within,  like  mnsic  flowing, 
And  caught  the  light  upon  her  wings 

Through  the  half-open  portal  glowing, 
She  wejDt  to  think  her  recreant  race 
Should  e'er  have  lost  that  glorious  place  ! 

"  How  happy,"  exclaimed  this  child  of  air, 
"  Are  the  holy  Spirits  who  wander  there, 

"  Mid  flowers  that  never  shall  fade  or  fall ; 
"  Though  mine  are  the  gardens  of  earth  and  sea, 
"  And  the  stars  themselves  have  flowers  for  me, 

"  One  blossom  of  heaven  out-blooms  them  all ! 


"  Though  sunny  the  Lake  of  cool  Cashmere, 
"  With  its  plane-tree  Isle  reflected  clear,^^'' 

"  And  sweetly  the  founts  of  that  Valley  fall ; 
"  Though  bright  are  the  waters  of  Sing-su-hay, 


PARADISE  AND   THE   PERI.  117 

"  And  the  golden  floods  that  thitherward  stray,^*^** 
"  Yet  —  oh,  't  is  only  the  Blest  can  say 

"  How  the  waters  of  heaven  outshine  them  all ! 

• "  Go,  wing  thy  flight  from  star  to  star, 
"  From  world  to  luminous  world,  as  far 

"  As  the  universe  spreads  its  flaming  wall : 
"  Take  all  the  pleasures  of  all  the  spheres, 
'?  And  multiijly  each  through  endless  years, 

"  One  minute  of  heaven  is  worth  them  all !  " 

The  glorious  Angel,  who  was  keeping 
The  gates  of  Light,  beheld  her  weeping; 
And,  as  he  nearer  drew  and  listened 
To  her  sad  song,  a  tear-drop  glistened 
Within  his  eyelids,  like  the  spray 

From  Eden's  fountain,  when  it  lies 
On  the  blue  floAver,  which  —  Bramins  say  — 

Blooms  nowhere  but  in  Paradise.-^®^ 

"  Nymph  of  a  fair  but  erring  line  ! " 
Gently  he  said  —  "  One  hope  is  thine. 
"  T  is  written  in  the  Book  of  Fate, 

"  TTie  Peri  yet  may  he  forgiven 
"  Who  brings  to  this  Eternal  gate 

"  The  Gift  that  is  most  dear  to  Heaven  ! 
'•  Go  seek  it,  and  redeem  thy  sin  — 
"  T  is  sweet  to  let  the  Pardoned  in." 

Rapidly  as  comets  run 

To  th'  embraces  of  the  Sun  ;  — 


118  LALLA   KOOKH. 

Fleeter  than  the  starry  brands 
Flung  at  night  from  angel  hands  ^^^ 
At  those  dark  and  daring  sprites 
Who  would  climb  th'  empyreal  heights, 
Down  the  blue  vault  the  Peri  flies, 

And,  lighted  earthward  by  a  glance 
That  just  then  broke  from  morning's  eyes, 

Hung  hovering  o'er  our  world's  expanse. 

But  whither  shall  the  Spirit  go 

To  find  this  gift  for  Heaven ?  —  "I  know 

"  The  wealth,"  she  cries,  "  of  every  urn, 

"  In  which  unnumbered  rubies  burn, 

"  Beneath  the  pillars  of  Ciiiljiinak  ;  ^"^^ 

"  I  know  where  the  Isles  of  Perfume  are 

"  Many  a  fathom  down  in  the  sea, 

"  To  the  south  of  sun-bright  Araby  ;  ^'^* 

"  I  know,  too,  where  the  Genii  hid 

"  The  jewelled  cup  of  their  King  Jamshid,  '^'^^ 

"  With  Life's  elixir  sparkling  high  — 

"  But  gifts  like  these  are  not  for  the  sky. 

"  "Wliere  was  there  ever  a  gem  that  shone 

"  Like  the  steps  of  Alla's  wonderful  Throne  ? 

"  And  the  Drops  of  Life  —  oh  !  what  would  they  be 

"  In  the  boundless  Deep  of  Eternity  ?  " 

"\^niile  thus  she  mused,  her  pinions  fanned 
The  air  of  that  sweet  Indian  land. 
Whose  air  is  balm  ;  whose  ocean  spreads 
O'er  coral  rocks,  and  amber  beds  :  ^"^^ 


PARADISE  AND   THE   PERI.  119 

Wliose  mountains,  pregnant  by  the  bean) 
Of  the  wann  sun,  with  diamonds  teem  ; 
Whose  rivulets  are  Hke  rich  brides, 
Lovely,  with  gold  beneath  their  tides  ; 
Whose  sandal  groves  and  bowers  of  spice 
Might  be  a  Peri's  Paradise  ! 
But  crimson  now  her  rivers  ran 

With  human  blood  —  the  smell  of  death 
Came  reeking  from  those  spicy  bowers, 
And  man,  the  sacrifice  of  man, 

Mingled  his  taint  with  every  breath 
Upwafted  from  the  innocent  flowers. 
Land  of  the  Sun  !  what  foot  invades 
Thy  Pagods  and  thy  pillared  shades  —  ^''''' 
Thy  cavern  shrines,  and  Idol  stones, 
Thy  Monarchs  and  their  thousands  Thrones  ?  ^"^ 
'T  is  He  of  Gazna  ^^^  —  fierce  in  wrath 

He  comes,  and  India's  diadems 
Lie  scattered  in  his  ruinous  path.  — 

His  bloodhounds  he  adorns  with  gems, 
Torn  from  the  violated  necks 

Of  many  a  young  and  loved  Sultana  ;  ^''^ 

Maidens  within  their  pure  Zenana, 

Priests  in  the  very  fane  he  slaughters, 
And  chokes  up  with  the  glittering  wrecks 

Of  golden  shrines  the  sacred  waters  ! 
Downward  the  Peri  turns  her  gaze, 
And,  through  the  war-field's  bloody  haze 
Beholds  a  youthful  warrior  stand, 

Alone  beside  his  native  river,  — 


120  LALLA   ROOKH. 

The  red  blade  broken  in  his  hand, 
And  the  last  arrow  in  his  quiver. 
"  Live,"  said  the  Conqueror,  "  live  to  share 
"  The  trophies  and  the  crowns  I  bear  !  " 
Silent  that  youthful  warrior  stood  — 
Silent  he  pointed  to  the  flood 
All  crimson  with  his  country's  blood, 
Then  sent  his  last  remaining  dart, 
For  answer,  to  th'  Invader's  heart. 

False  flew  the  shaft,  though  pointed  well ; 
The  Tyrant  lived,  the  Hero  fell !  — 
Yet  marked  the  Peri  where  he  lay. 

And,  when  the  rush  of  war  was  past, 
Swiftly  descending  on  a  ray 

Of  morning  light,  she  caught  the  last  — 
Last  glorious  drop  his  heart  had  shed. 
Before  its  freeborn  spirit  fled  ! 

"  Be  this,"  she  cried,  as  she  winged  her  flight, 
"  My  welcome  gift  at  the  Gates  of  Light. 
"  Though  foul  are  the  drops  that  oft  distil 

"  On  the  field  of  warfare,  blood  like  this, 

"  For  Liberty  shed,  so  holy  is,  ^''^ 
"  It  would  not  stain  the  purest  rill, 

"  That  sparkles  among  the  Bowers  of  Bliss ! 
"  Oh,  if  there  be,  on  this  earthly  sphere, 
"  A  boon,  an  offering  Heaven  holds  dear, 
"  'T  is  the  last  libation  Liberty  draws 
"  From  the  heart  that  bleeds  and  breaks  in  her 
cause ! " 


PAHADISE  AND   THE   PERI.  121 

"  Sweet,"  said  the  Angel,  as  she  gave 

The  gift  into  his  radiant  hand,  — 
"  Sweet  is  our  welcome  of  the  Brave 

"  Who  die  thus  for  their  native  Land.  — 
"  But  see  —  alas  !  —  the  crystal  bar 
"  Of  Eden  moves  not  —  holier  for 
"  Than  even  this  drop  the  boon  must  be, 
"  That  opes  the  Gates  of  Heaven  for  thee  ! " 

Her  first  fond  hope  of  Eden  blighted, 

Now  jvmong  Afric's  lunar  Mountains,-^''^ 
Far  to  the  South,  the  Peri  lighted  ; 

And  sleeked  her  plumage  at  the  fountains 
Of  that  Egyptian  tide  —  whose  birth 
Is  hidden  from  the  sons  of  earth 
Deep  in  those  solitary  woods, 
Wliere  oft  the  Genii  of  the  Floods 
Dance  round  the  cradle  of  their  Nile, 
And  hail  the  new-born  Giant's  smile.^'''^ 
Thence  over  Egypt's  palmy  groves, 

Her  grots,  and  sepulchres  of  Kings,^^* 
The  exiled  Spirit  sighing  roves  ; 
And  now  hangs  listening  to  the  doves 
In  warm  Rosetta's  vale  ^"  —  now  loves 

To  watch  the  moonlight  on  the  wings 
Of  the  white  pelicans  that  break 
The  azure  calm  of  Mceris'  Lake.-^^*^ 
'T  was  a  fair  scene  —  a  Land  more  bright 

Never  did  mortal  eye  behold  ! 
Wlio  could  have  thought,  that  saw  this  night 


122  LALLA  ROOKH. 

Those  valleys  and  their  fruits  of  gold 
Basking  in  heaven's  serenest  light ;  — 
Those  groups  of  lovely  date-trees  bending 

Languidly  their  leaf-crowned  heads, 
Like  youthful  maids,  when  sleep  descending 

Warns  them  to  their  silken  beds  ;  —  ^" 
Those  virgin  lilies,  all  the  night 

Bathing  their  beauties  in  the  lake. 
That  they  may  rise  more  fresh  and  bright, 

When  their  beloved  Sun  's  awake  ;  — 
Those  ruined  shrines  and  towers  that  seem 
The  relics  of  a  splendid  dream ; 

Amid  whose  fairy  loneliness 
Naught  but  the  lapwing  s  cry  is  heard, 

Naught  seen  but  (when  the  shadows,  flitting 
Fast  from  the  moon,  unsheathe  its  gleam) 

Some  purple-winged  Sultana  ^'^^  sitting 

Upon  a  column,  motionless 
And  jrlitterino-  like  an  Idol  bird  I  — 
Who  could  have  thought,  that  there,  even  there, 
Amid  those  scenes  so  still  and  fair, 
The  Demon  of  the  Plague  hath  cast 
From  his  hot  wing  a  deadlier  blast. 
More  mortal  far  than  ever  came 
From  the  red  Desert's  sands  of  flame  ! 
So  quick,  that  every  living  thing 
Of  human  shape,  touched  by  his  wing. 
Like  plants,  where  the  Simoom  hath  past. 
At  once  falls  black  and  withering ! 
The  sun  went  down  on  many  a  brow, 


PARADISE   AND   THE   PERI.  123 

Which,  full  of  bloom  and  freshness  then, 
Is  rankling  in  the  pest-house  now, 

And  ne'er  will  feel  that  sun  again. 
And,  oh  !  to  see  th'  unburied  heaps 
On  which  the  lonely  moonlight  sleeps  — 
The  very  vultures  turn  away. 
And  sicken  at  so  foul  a  prey ! 
Only  the  fierce  hyena  stalks  ^"^ 
Throughout  the  city's  desolate  walks  ^^'' 
At  midnight,  and  his  carnage  plies :  — 

Woe  to  the  half-dead  wretch,  who  meets 
The  glaring  of  those  large  blue  eyes  ^^^ 

Amid  the  darkness  of  the  streets  ! 

"  Poor  race  of  men  !  "  said  the  pitying  Spirit, 

"  Dearly  ye  pay  for  your  primal  Fall  — 
"  Some  flow'rets  of  Eden  ye  still  inherit, 

"  But  the  trail  of  the  Serpent  is  over  them  all !" 
She  wept  —  the  air  grew  pure  and  clear 

Around  her,  as  the  bright  drops  ran ; 
For  there 's  a  magic  in  each  tear, 

Such  kindly  Spirits  Aveep  for  man  ! 
Just  then  beneath  some  orange-trees. 
Whose  fruit  and  blossoms  in  the  breeze 
Were  wantoning  together,  free, 
Like  age  at  play  with  infancy  — 
Beneath  that  fresh  and  springing  bower, 

Close  by  the  Lake,  she  heard  the  moan 
Of  one  who,  at  this  silent  hour, 

Had  thither  stolen  to  die  alone. 


124  LALLA   ROOKH. 

One  who  in  life  where'er  he  moved, 

Drew  after  him  the  hearts  of  many  ; 
Yet  now,  as  though  he  ne'er  were  loved, 

Dies  here  unseen,  unwept  by  any  ! 
None  to  watch  near  him  —  none  to  slake 

The  fire  that  in  his  bosom  lies, 
"With  even  a  sprinkle  from  that  lake, 

Which  shines  so  cool  before  his  eyes. 
No  voice,  well  known  through  many  a  day, 

To  speak  the  last,  the  parting  word, 
Which,  when  all  other  sounds  decay. 

Is  still  like  distant  music  heard  ;  — 
That  tender  farewell  on  the  shore 
Of  this  rude  world,  when  all  is  o'er. 
Which  cheers  the  spirit,  ere  its  bark 
Puts  off  into  the  unknown  Dark. 

Deserted  youth  !  one  thought  alone 

Shed  joy  around  his  soid  in  death  — 
That  she,  whom  he  for  years  had  known, 
And  loved,  and  might  have  called  his  own 

Was  safe  from  this  foul  midnight's  breath. 
Safe  in  her  father's  princely  halls, 
Wliere  the  cool  airs  from  fountain  fall^, 
Freshly  perfumed  by  many  a  brand 
Of  the  sweet  wood  from  India's  land. 
Were  pure  as  she  whose  brow  they  fanned. 

But  see  —  who  yonder  comes  by  stealth,*^^ 
This  melancholy  bower  to  seek. 


PARADISE  AND  THE   PEIJI.  125 

Like  a  young  envoy,  sent  by  Health, 

With  rosy  gifts  upon  her  cheek  ? 
'T  is  she  —  far  off,  through  moonlight  dim 

He  knew  his  own  betrothed  bride. 
She,  who  would  rather  die  with  him, 

Than  live  to  gain  the  world  beside  !  — 
Her  ai'ms  are  round  her  lover  now, 

His  livid  cheek  to  hers  she  presses, 
And  dips,  to  bind  his  burning  brow, 

In  the  cool  lake  her  loosened  tresses. 
Ah  !   once,  how  little  did  he  think 
An  hour  would  come,  when  he  should  shrink 
With  horror  from  that  dear  embrace, 

Those  gentle  arms,  that  were  to  him 
Holy  as  is  the  cradling  place 

Of  Eden's  infant  cherubim  ! 
And  now  he  yields  —  now  turns  away, 
Shuddering  as  if  the  venom  lay 
All  in  those  proffered  lijis  alone  — 
Those  lips  that,  then  so  fearless  grown. 
Never  until  that  instant  came 
Near  his  unasked  or  Avithout  shame. 
"  Oh  !  let  me  only  breathe  the  air, 

"  The  blessed  air,  that 's  breathed  by  thee, 
"  And,  Avhether  on  its  wings  it  bear 

"  Healing  or  death,  't  is  sweet  to  me  ! 
"  There  —  drink  my  tears,  while  yet  they  fall  — 

"  Would  that  my  bosom's  blood  were  balm, 
"  And,  well  thou  know'st,  I  'd  shed  it  all, 

"  To  give  thy  brow  one  minute's  calm. 


126  LALLA  ROOKH. 

"  Nay,  turn  not  from  me  that  dear  face  — 

"  Am  I  not  thine  —  thy  own  loved  bride  — 
"  The  one,  the  chosen  one,  whose  place 

"  In  life  or  death  is  by  thy  side  ? 
"  Think'st  thou  that  she,  whose  only  light, 

"  In  this  dim  world,  from  thee  hath  shone, 
''  Could  bear  the  long,  the  cheerless  night, 

"  That  must  be  hers  when  thou  art  gone  ? 
"  That  I  can  live,  and  let  thee  go, 
"  Who  art  my  life  itself?  —  No,  no  — 
"  When  the  stem  dies,  the  leaf  that  grew 
"  Out  of  its  heart  must  perish  too  ! 
"  Then  turn  to  me,  my  own  love,  turn, 
"  Before,  like  thee,  I  fade  and  burn ; 
"  Cling  to  these  yet  cool  lips,  and  share 
"  The  last  pure  life  that  lingers  there  ! " 
She  fails  —  she  sinks  —  as  dies  the  lamp 
In  charnel  airs,  or  cavern-damp. 
So  quickly  do  his  baleful  sighs 
Quench  all  the  sweet  light  of  her  eyes. 
One  struggle  —  and  his  pain  is  past  — 

Her  lover  is  no  longer  living  ! 
One  kiss  the  maiden  gives,  one  last. 

Long  kiss,  which  she  expires  in  giving  ! 

"  Sleep,"  said  the  Peri,  as  softly  she  stole 
The  farewell  sigh  of  that  vanishing  soul. 
As  true  as  e'er  warmed  a  woman's  breast,  — 
"  Sleep  on,  in  visions  of  odor  rest, 
"  In  balmier  airs  than  ever  yet  stirred 


PARADISE  AND   THE  PERI.  127 

"  Th'  enchanted  pile  of  that  h^nely  bird, 
"  Who  sings  at  the  last  his  own  death-lay/*' 
"  And  in  music  and  perfume  dies  away  ! " 

Thus  saying,  from  her  lips  she  spread 

Unearthly  breathings  through  the  place, 
And  shook  her  sparkling  wreath,  and  shed 

Such  lustre  o'er  each  paly  face, 
That  like  two  lovely  saints  they  seemed, 

Upon  the  eve  of  doomsday  taken 
From  their  dim  graves,  in  odor  sleeping ; 

While  that  benevolent  Peri  beamed 
Like  their  good  angel,  calmly  keeping 

Watch  o'er  them  till  their  souls  would  waken. 

But  morn  is  blushing  in  the  sky ; 

Again  the  Peri  soars  above, 
Bearing  to  Heaven  that  precious  sigh 

Of  pure,  self-sacrificing  love. 
High  throbbed  her  heart,  with  hope  elate, 

The  Elysian  palm  she  soon  shall  win, 
For  the  bright  Spirit  at  the  gate 

Smiled  as  she  gave  that  offering  in ; 
And  she  already  hears  the  trees 

Of  Eden,  with  their  crystal  bells 
Ringing  in  that  ambrosial  breeze 

That  from  the  throne  of  Alla  swells ; 
And  she  can  see  the  starry  bowls 

That  lie  around  that  lucid  lake, 


128  LALLA   KOOKH. 

Upon  whose  banks  admitted  Souls 

Their  first  sweet  draught  of  glory  take  !  ^^'^ 

But,  ah  !  even  Peris'  hopes  are  vain  — 

Again  the  Fates  forbade,  again 
Th'  immortal  barrier  closed  :    "  Not  yet," 

The  Angel  said  as,  Avith  regret. 
He  shut  from  her  that  glimpse  of  glory  ; 
"  True  was  the  maiden,  and  her  story, 
"  Written  in  light  o'er  Alla's  head, 
"  By  seraph  eyes  shall  long  be  read. 
"  But,  Peri,  see  —  the  crystal  bar 
"  Of  Eden  moves  not  —  holier  far 
"  Than  even  this  sigh  the  boon  must  be 
"  That  opes  the  Gates  of  Heaven  for  thee.'' 

Now,  upon  Syria's  land  of  roses  ^^^ 
Softly  the  light  of  Eve  reposes. 
And,  like  a  glory,  the  broad  sun 
Hangs  over  sainted  Lebanon  ; 
Whose  head  in  wintry  grandeur  towers, 

And  whitens  Avith  eternal  sleet. 
While  summer,  in  a  vale  of  flowers, 

Is  sleeping  rosy  at  his  feet. 

To  one,  who  looked  from  upper  air 
O'er  all  th'  enchanted  regions  there. 
How  beauteous  must  have  been  the  glow, 
The  life,  the  sparkling  from  below  I 


PARADISE   AND    THE    PEi;i.  129 

Fair  gardens,  shining  streams,  with  ranks 
Of  golden  melons  on  their  banks. 
More  golden  where  the  sunlight  falls  ;  — 
Gay  lizards,  glittering  on  the  walls  ^^^ 
Of  ruined  shrines,  busy  and  bright 
As  they  were  all  alive  with  light ; 
And,  yet  more  splendid,  numerous  flocks 
Of  pigeons,  settling  on  the  rocks, 
With  their  rich  restless  wings  that  gleam 
Variously  in  the  crimson  beam 
Of  the  warm  West,  —  as  if  inlaid 
With  brilliants  from  the  mine,  or  made 
Of  tearless  rainbows,  such  as  span 
Th'  unclouded  skies  of  Peristan. 
And  then  the  mingling  sounds  that  come, 
Of  shepherd's  ancient  reed,^"  with  hum 
Of  the  wild  bees  of  Palestine,^^^ 

Banqueting  through  the  flowery  vales ; 
And,  Jordan,  those  sweet  banks  of  thine, 

And  woods,  so  full  of  nightingales.-^^*' 

But  naught  can  charm  the  luckless  Peri  ; 
Her  soul  is  sad  —  her  wings  are  weary  — 
Joyless  she  sees  the  sun  look  down 
On  that  great  Temple,  once  his  own,^'" 
Whose  lonely  columns  stand  sublime, 

Flinging  their  shadows  from  on  high, 
Like  dials,  which  the  wizaid,  Time, 

Had  raised  to  count  his  ages  by ! 
9 


130  LALLA  EOOKH. 

Yet  haply  there  may  lie  concealed 

Beneath  those  Chambers  of  the  Sun, 
Some  amulet  of  gems,  annealed 
In  upper  fires,  some  tablet  sealed 
With  the  great  name  of  Solomon, 
Which,  spelled  by  illumined  eyes, 
May  teach  her  where,  beneath  the  moon, 
In  earth  or  ocean,  lies  the  boon, 
The  charm,  that  can  restore  so  soon 
An  erring  Spirit  to  the  skies. 

Cheered  by  this  hope  slie  bends  her  thither  ; 

Still  laughs  the  radiant  eye  of  Heaven, 

Nor  have  the  golden  bowers  of  Even 
In  the  rich  West  begun  to  wither ;  — 
When,  o'er  the  vale  of  Balbec  winging 

Slowly,  she  sees  a  child  at  play, 
Among  the  rosy  wild  flowers  singing. 

As  rosy  and  as  wild  as  they  ; 
Chasing,  with  eager  hands  and  eyes. 
The  beautiful  blue  damsel-flies,^^^ 
That  fluttered  round  the  jasmine  stems, 
Like  Avinged  flowers  or  flying  gems  :  — 
And,  near  the  boy,  who  tired  with  play 
Now  nestling  'mid  the  roses  lay. 
She  saw  a  wearied  man  dismount 

From  his  hot  steed,  and  on  the  brink 
Of  a  small  imaret's  rustic  fount  ^^'^ 

Impatient  fling  him  down  to  drink. 
Then  swift  his  haggard  brow  he  turned 


PARADISE  AND   THE   PERI.  131 

To  the  fair  child,  who  fearless  sat, 
Though  never  yet  hath  day-beam  burned 

Upon  a  brow  more  fierce  than  that,  — 
Sullenly  fierce,  —  a  mixture  dire, 
Like  thunder-clouds,  of  gloom  and  fire  ; 
In  which  the  Peri's  eye  could  read 
Dark  tales  of  many  a  ruthless  deed ; 
The  ruined  maid  —  the  shrine  i^rofaned  — 
Oaths  broken  —  and  the  threshold  stained 
With  blood  of  guests  !  —  there  written,  all, 
Black  as  the  damning  drops  that  fall 
From  the  denouncing  Angel's  pen, 
Ere  Mercy  weeps  them  out  again. 

Yet  tranquil  now  that  man  of  crime 
(As  if  the  balmy  evening  time 
Softened  his  spirit)  looked  and  lay, 
Watcliing  the  rosy  infant's  play  :  — 
Though  still,  whene'er  his  eye  by  chance 
Fell  on  the  boy's,  its  lurid  glance 

Met  that  unclouded,  joyous  gaze, 
As  torches,  that  have  burnt  all  night 
Through  some  impure  and  godless  rite, 

Encounter  morning's  glorious  rays. 

But  hark  !  the  vesper  call  to  prayer, 

As  slow  the  orb  of  daylight  sets, 
Is  rising  sweetly  on  the  air, 

From  Syria's  thousand  minarets  ! 
The  boy  has  started  from  the  bed 


132  LALLA    ROOKH. 

Of  flowers,  where  he  had  laid  his  head, 
And  down  upon  the  fragrant  sod 

Kneels,-^®^  with  his  forehead  to  the  south. 
Lisping  th'  eternal  name  of  God 

From  Purity's  own  cherub  mouth, 
And  looking,  while  his  hands  and  eyes 
Are  lifted  to  the  glowing  skies. 
Like  a  stray  babe  of  Paradise, 
Just  lighted  on  that  flowery  plain. 
And  seeking  for  its  home  again. 
Oh  !  't  was  a  sight  —  that  heaven  —  that  child  - 
A  scene,  which  might  have  well  beguiled 
Even  haughty  Eblis  of  a  sigh 
For  glories  lost  and  peace  gone  by ! 

And  how  felt  hc^  the  wretched  Man 

Reclining  there  —  while  memory  ran 

O'er  many  a  year  of  guilt  and  strife, 

Flew  o'er  the  dark  flood  of  his  life. 

Nor  found  one  sunny  resting-place. 

Nor  brought  him  back  one  branch  of  grace. 

"  Thei'e  ukis  a  time,"  he  said,  in  mild, 

Heart-humbled  tones  —  "  thou  blessed  child  ! 

"  When,  young  and  haply  jDure  as  thou, 

"  I  looked  and  prayed  like  thee  —  but  now  ''  — 

He  hung  his  head  —  each  nobler  aim. 

And  hope,  and  feeling,  which  had  slept 
From  boyhood's  hour,  that  instant  came 

Fresh  o'er  him,  and  he  wept  —  he  wept ! 


PARADISE  AND   THE  PERI.  133 

Blest  tears  of  soul-felt  penitence  ! 

In  whose  benign,  redeeming  flow 
Is  felt  the  first,  the  only  sense 

Of  guiltless  joy  that  guilt  can  know. 

"  There 's  a  drop,"  said  the  Peri,  "•  that  down  from 

the  moon 
"  Falls  through  the  withering  airs  of  June 
"  Upon  Egypt's  land,^^*  of  so  healing  a  power, 
"  So  balmy  a  virtue,  that  e'en  in  the  hour 
"  That  drop  descends,  contagion  dies, 
"  And  health  reanimates  earth  and  skies  !  — 
"  Oh,  is  it  not  thus,  thou  man  of  sin, 

"  The  precious  tears  of  repentance  fall  ? 
"  Though  foul  thy  fiery  plagues  within, 

"  One  heavenly  drop  hath  dispelled  them  all ! " 

And  now  —  behold  him  kneeling  there 
By  the  child's  side,  in  humble  prayer. 
While  the  same  sunbeam  shines  upon 
The  guilty  and  the  guiltless  one, 
And  hymns  of  joy  proclaim  through  heaven 
The  triumph  of  a  Soul  Forgiven  ! 
'T  was  when  the  golden  orb  had  set, 
Wliile  on  their  knees  they  lingered  yet, 
There  fell  a  light  more  lovely  far 
Than  ever  came  from  sun  or  star, 
Upon  the  tear  that,  warm  and  meek. 
Dewed  that  repentant  sinner's  cheek. 
To  mortal  eye  this  light  might  seem 


1C4  LALLA   ROOKH. 

A  northern  flash  or  meteor  beam  — 
But  well  th'  enraptured  Peri  knew 
'T  was  a  bright  smile  the  Angel  threw 
From  heaven's  gate,  to  hail  that  tear 
Her  harbinger  of  glory  near  ! 

"  Joy,  joy  forever !  my  task  is  done  — 

"  The  Gates  are  passed,  and  heaven  is  won  ! 

"  Oh  !  am  I  not  happy  ?  I  am,  I  am  — 

''  To  thee,  sweet  Eden  !  how  dark  and  sad 
"  Are  the  diamond  turrets  of  Shadukiam,^^^ 

"  And  the  fragrant  bowers  of  Amberabad  ! 
"  Farewell,  ye  odors  of  earth,  that  die 
"  Passing  away  like  a  lover's  sigh ;  — 
"  My  feast  is  now  of  the  Tooba  Tree,^^« 
"  Whose  scent  is  the  breath  of  Eternity  ! 
''  Farewell,  ye  vanishing  flowers,  that  shone 

"  In  my  fairy  wreath,  so  bright  and  brief;  — 
"  Oh  !  what  are  the  brightest  that  e'er  have  blown 
"  To  the  lote-tree,  springing  by  Alla's  throne,^''^ 

"  Whose  flowers  have  a  soul  in  every  leaf? 
'*  Joy,  joy  forever  !  my  task  is  done  — 
"  The  Gates  are  passed,  and  heaven  is  won ! " 


"  And  this,"  said  the  Great  Chamberlain,  "  is  po- 
etry !  this  flimsy  manufacture  of  the  brain,  which,  in 
comparison  with  the  lofty  and  durable  moniunents  of 
genius,  is  as  the  gold  filigree-work  of  Zamara  beside 
the  eternal  architecture  of  Egypt !  "  After  this  gor- 
geous sentence,  which,  with  a  few  more  of  the  same 
kind,  Fadladeen  kept  by  him  for  rare  and  impor- 
tant occasions,  he  proceeded  to  the  anatomy  of  the 
short  poem  just  recited.  The  lax  and  easy  kind  of 
metre  in  which  it  was  written  ought  to  be  denounced, 
he  said,  as  one  of  the  leading  causes  of  the  alarming 
growth  of  poetry  in  our  times.  If  some  check  were 
not  given  to  this  lawless  facility,  we  should  soon  be 
overrun  by  a  race  of  bards  as  numerous  and  as 
shallow  as  the  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  Streams 
of  Basra.^®^  They  who  succeeded  in  this  style  de- 
served chastisement  for  their  very  success ;  —  as 
warriors  have  been  punished,  even  after  gaining  a 
victory,  because  they  had  taken  the  liberty  of  gain- 
ing it  in  an  irregular  or  unestablished  manner. 
What,  then,  was  to  be  said  to  those  who  failed  ?  to 
those  who  presumed,  as  in  the  present  lamentable 
instance,  to  imitate  the  license  and  ease  of  the  bolder 
sons  of  song,  without  any  of  that   grace    or   vigor 


136  LALLA  KOOKH. 

which  gave  a  dignity  even  to  negligence ;  —  who, 
like  them,  flung  the  jei-eed  ^^^  carelessly,  but  not,  like 
them,  to  the  mark  ;  —  "  and  who,"  said  he,  raising 
his  voice  to  excite  a  proper  degree  of  wakefulness 
in  his  hearers,  "  contrive  to  appear  heavy  and  con- 
strained in  the  midst  of  all  the  latitude  they  allow 
themselves,  like  one  of  those  young  pagans  that 
dance  before  the  Princess,  who  is  ingenious  enough 
to  move  as  if  her  limbs  were  fettered,  in  a  jjair  of 
the  lightest  and  loosest  drawers  of  Masulipatam  ! " 

It  was  but  little  suitable,  he  continued,  to  the 
grave  march  of  criticism  to  follow  this  fantastical 
Peri,  of  whom  they  had  just  heard,  through  all  her 
flights  and  adventures  between  earth  and  heaven ; 
but  he  could  not  help  adverting  to  the  puerile  con- 
ceitedness  of  the  Three  Gifts  which  she  is  supposed 
to  carry  to  the  skies,  —  a  droj)  of  blood,  forsooth,  a 
sigh,  and  a  tear  !  How  the  first  of  these  articles 
was  delivered  into  the  Angel's  "  radiant  hand  "  he 
professed  himself  at  a  loss  to  discover ;  and  as  to 
the  safe  carriage  of  the  sigh  and  the  tear,  such  Peris 
and  such  poets  were  beings  by  far  too  incompre- 
hensible for  him  even  to  guess  how  they  managed 
such  matters.  "  But,  in  short,"  said  he,  "  it  is  a 
waste  of  time  and  patience  to  dwell  longer  upon  a 
thing  so  incurably  frivolous,  —  puny  even  among  its 
own  puny  race,  and  such  as  only  the  Banyan  Hos- 
pital ^°  for  Sick  Insects  should  undertake." 


LALLA  POOKH.  137 

In  vain  did  Lalla  Rookh  try  to  soften  tliis 
inexorable  critic  ;  in  vain  did  she  resort  to  her  most 
eloquent  commonplaces,  —  reminding  him  that  poets 
were  a  timid  and  sensitive  race,  whose  sweetness 
was  not  to  be  drawn  forth,  like  that  of  the  fragrant 
grass  near  the  Ganges,  by  crushing  and  trampling 
upon  them ;  —  -°^  that  severity  often  extinguished 
every  chance  of  the  perfection  which  it  demanded ; 
and  that,  after  all,  perfection  was  like  the  Mountain 
of  the  Talisman,  —  no  one  had  ever  yet  reached  its 
summit.^"-  Neither  these  gentle  axioms,  nor  the 
still  gentler  looks  with  which  they  w.ere  inculcated, 
could  lower  for  one  instant  the  elevation  of  Fadla- 
deen's  eyebrows,  or  charm  him  into  anything  like 
encoiu'agement,  or  even  toleration,  of  her  poet. 
Toleration,  indeed,  was  not  among  the  weaknesses 
of  Fadladeen  :  —  he  carried  the  same  spirit  into 
matters  of  poetry  and  of  religion,  and,  though  little 
versed  in  the  beauties  or  sublimities  of  either,  was  a 
perfect  master  of  the  art  of  persecution  in  both. 
His  zeal  was  the  same,  too,  in  either  pursuit; 
whether  the  game  before  him  was  pagans  or  poet- 
asters, —  worshippers  of  cows,  or  writers  of  epics. 

They  had  now  arrived  at  the  splendid  city  of  La- 
hore, whose  mausoleums  and  shrines,  magnificent 
and  numberless,  where  Death  appeared  to  share 
equal  honors  with  Heaven,  would  have  powerfully 
affected  the  heart  and  imagination  of  Lalla  Rookh, 
if  feelings  more  of  this  earth  had  not  taken  entire 


138  LALLA   ROOKH. 

possession  of  her  already.  She  was  here  met  by 
messengers,  dispatched  from  Cashmere,  who  in- 
formed her  that  the  King  had  arrived  in  the  Valley, 
and  was  himself  superintending  the  sumptuous  prep- 
arations that  were  then  making  in  the  vSaloons  of  the 
Shalimar  for  her  reception.  The  chill  she  felt  on 
receiving  this  intelligence,  —  which  to  a  bride  whose 
heart  was  free  and  light  would  have  brought  only 
images  of  affection  and  pleasure,  —  convinced  her 
that  her  peace  was  gone  forever,  and  that  she  was 
in  love,  irretrievably  in  love,  with  young  Feramorz. 
The  veil  had  fallen  off  in  which  this  passion  at  first 
disguises  itself,  and  to  know  that  she  loved  was 
now  as  painful  as  to  love  without  knowing  it  had 
been  delicious.  Feramorz,  too,  —  what  misery 
would  be  his,  if  the  sweet  hours  of  intercourse  so 
imprudently  allowed  them  should  have  stolen  into 
his  heart  the  same  fatal  fascination  as  into  hers ;  — 
if,  notwithstanding  her  rank,  and  the  modest  homage 
he  always  paid  to  it,  even  he  should  have  yielded  to 
the  influence  of  those  long  and  happy  interviews, 
where  music,  poetry,  the  delightful  scenes  of  nature, 
—  all  had  tended  to  bring  their  hearts  close  to- 
gether, and  to  waken  by  every  means  that  too  ready 
passion,  which  often,  like  the  young  of  the  desert- 
bird,  is  warmed  into  life  by  the  eyes  alone  !  ""^  She 
saw  but  one  way  to  preserve  herself  fi'om  being  cul- 
pable as  well  as  unhappy,  and  this,  however  painful, 
she  was  resolved  to  adopt.  Feramorz  must  no 
more  be  admitted  to  her  presence.    To  have  strayed 


LALLA   ROOKH.  139 

SO  far  into  the  dangerous  labyrinth  was  wrong,  but 
to  linger  in  it,  while  the  clew  was  yet  in  her  hand, 
would  be  criminal.  Though  the  heart  she  had  to 
offer  to  the  King  of  Bucharia  might  be  cold  and 
broken,  it  should  at  least  be  pure  ;  and  she  must 
only  endeavor  to  forget  the  short  dream  of  happiness 
she  had  enjoyed,  —  like  that  Arabian  shepherd,  who, 
in  wandering  into  the  wilderness,  caught  a  glimpse 
of  the  Gardens  of  Irini,  and  then  lost  them  again 
forever !  ^°^ 

The  arrival  of  the  young  Bride  at  Lahore  was 
celebrated  in  tire  most  enthusiastic  manner.  The 
Rajas  and  Omras  in  her  train,  who  had  kept  at  a 
certain  distance  during  the  journey,  and  never  en- 
camped nearer  to  the  Princess  than  was  strictly 
necessary  for  her  safeguard,  here  rode  in  splendid 
cavalcade  through  the  city,  and  distributed  the  most 
costly  presents  to  the  crowd.  Engines  were  erected 
in  all  the  squares,  which  cast  forth  showers  of  con- 
fectionery among  the  people  ;  while  the  artisans,  in 
chariots  ^"^  adorned  with  tinsel  and  flying  stream- 
ers, exhibited  the  badges  of  their  respective  trades 
through  the  streets.  Such  brilliant  displays  of  life 
and  pageantry  among  the  palaces,  and  domes,  and 
gilded  minarets  of  Lahore,  made  the  city  altogether 
like  a  place  of  enchantment ;  —  particularly  on  the 
day  when  Lalla  Rookh  set  out  again  upon  her 
journey,  when  she  was  accompanied  to  the  gate  by 
all  the  fairest  and  richest  of  the  nobility,  and  rode 


140  LALLA  ROOKH. 

along  between  ranks  of  beautiful  boys  and  girls,  who 
kept  waving  over  their  heads  plates  of  gold  and 
silver  flowers,^"*'  and  then  threw  them  around  to  be 
gathered  by  the  populace. 

For  many  days  after  their  dej^arture  from  Lahore, 
a  considerable  degree  of  gloom  hung  over  the  whole 
party.  Lalla  Rookh,  who  had  intended  to  make 
illness  her  excuse  for  not  admitting  the  young  min- 
strel, as  usual,  to  the  pavilion,  soon  found  that  to 
feign  indisposition  was  unnecessary; — Fadladeen 
felt  the  loss  of  the  good  road  they  had  hitherto  trav- 
elled, and  was  very  near  cursing  Jehan-Guire  (of 
blessed  memory!)  for  not  having  continued  his  de- 
lectable alley  of  trees,-*^''  at  least  as  far  as  the  moun- 
tains of  Cashmere ;  —  while  the  Ladies,  who  had 
nothing  now  to  do  all  day  but  to  be  fanned  by  pea- 
cocks' feathers  and  listen  to  Fadladeen,  seemed 
heartily  weary  of  the  life  they  led,  and,  in  spite  of 
all  the  Great  Chamberlain's  criticisms,  were  so  taste- 
less as  to  wish  for  the  poet  again.  One  evening,  as 
they  were  proceeding  to  their  place  of  rest  for  the 
night,  the  Princess,  who,  for  the  freer  enjoyment  of 
the  air,  had  mounted  her  favorite  Arabian  palfrey, 
in  passing  by  a  small  grove  heard  the  notes  of  a  lute 
from  within  its  leaves,  and  a  voice,  which  she  but 
too  well  knew,  singing  the  following  words  :  — 

Tell  me  not  of  joys  above. 
If  that  world  can  give  no  bliss, 


LALLA  ROOKH.  141 

Truer,  happier  than  the  Love 

Which  enslaves  our  souls  in  this. 

Tell  me  not  of  Ilouries'  eyes  ;  — 
F'ar  from  me  their  dangerous  glow, 

If  those  looks  that  light  the  skies 
Wound  like  some  that  burn  below. 

Who,  that  feels  what  Love  is  here, 
All  its  falsehood  —  all  its  pain  — 

Would,  for  even  Elysium's  sphere, 
Risk  the  fatal  dream  again? 

Who,  that  midst  a  desert's  heat 

Sees  the  waters  fide  away, 
Would  not  rather  die  than  meet 

Streams  again  as  false  as  they  ? 

The  tone  of  melancholy  defiance  in  which  these 
words  were  uttered,  went  to  Lalla  Rookh's  heart ; 
—  and,  as  she  reluctantly  rode  on,  she  could  not 
help  feeling  it  to  be  a  sad  but  still  sweet  certainty, 
that  Feramorz  was  to  the  full  as  enamored  and 
miserable  as  herself 

The  place  where  they  encamped  that  evening  was 
the  first  delightful  spot  they  had  come  to  since  they 
left  Lahore.  On  one  side  of  them  was  a  grove  full 
of  small  Hindoo  temples,  and  planted  with  the  most 
graceful  trees  of  the  East ;  where  the  tamarind,  ihe 


142  LALLA   llOOKH. 

cassia,  and  the  silken  plantains  of  Ceylon  were  min- 
gled in  ricli  contrast  with  the  high  fan-hke  foliage 
of  the  Palmyra,  —  that  favorite  tree  of  the  luxuri- 
ous bird  that  lights  up  the  chambers  of  its  nest  with 
fire-flies."°^  In  the  middle  of  the  lawn  where  the 
pavilion  stood  there  was  a  tank  surrounded  by  small 
mangoe-trees,  on  the  clear  cold  waters  of  which 
floated  multitudes  of  the  beautiful  red  lotus ;  -°^  while 
at  a  distance  stood  the  ruins  of  a  strange  and  awful- 
looking  tower,  which  seemed  old  enough  to  have 
been  the  temple  of  some  religion  no  longer  known, 
and  which  spoke  the  voice  of  desolation  in  the  midst 
of  all  that  bloom  and  loveliness.  This  singular  ruin 
excited  the  wonder  and  conjectures  of  all.  Lalla 
E.OOKH  guessed  in  vain,  and  the  all-pretending  Fad- 
LADEEN,  who  had  never  till  this  journey  been  be- 
yond the  .precincts  of  Delhi,  was  proceeding  most 
learnedly  to  show  that  he  knew  nothing  whatever 
about  the  matter,  when  one  of  the  Ladies  suggested 
that  perhaps  Feramorz  could  satisfy  their  curiosity. 
They  were  now  approaching  his  native  mountains, 
and  this  tower  might  perhaps  be  a  relic  of  some  of 
those  dark  superstitions,  which  had  prevailed  in  that 
country  before  the  light  of  Islam  dawned  upon  it. 
The  Chamberlain,  who  usually  preferred  his  own  ig- 
norance to  the  best  knowledge  that  any  one  else 
could  give  him,  was  by  no  means  pleased  with  this 
officious  reference ;  and  the  Princess,  too,  was  about 
to  interpose  a  faint  word  of  objection,  but,  before 
either  of  them  could  speak,  a  slave  was  dispatched 


LALLA   ROOKH.  143 

for  Feramorz,  who,  in  a  very  few  minutes,  made 
his  appearance  before  them  —  looking  so  pale  and 
unhappy  in  Lalla  Rookh's  eyes,  that  she  repented 
already  of  her  cruelty  in  having  so  long  excluded 
him. 

That  venerable  tower,  he  told  them,  was  the  re- 
mains of  an  ancient  Fire-temple,  built  by  those 
Ghebers  or  Persians  of  the  old  religion,  who,  many 
hundred  years  since,  had  fled  hither  from  their  Arab 
conquerors,^^"  preferring  liberty  and  their  altars  in  a 
foreign  land  to  the  alternative  of  apostasy  or  per- 
secution in  their  own.  It  was  impossible,  he  added, 
not  to  feel  interested  in  the  many  glorious  but  un- 
successful struggles,  which  had  been  made  by  these 
original  natives  of  Persia  to  cast  off  the  yoke  of 
their  bigoted  conquerors.  Like  their  own  Fire  in 
the  Burning  Field  at  Bakou,"^^  when  suppressed  in 
one  place,  they  had  but  broken  out  with  fresh  flame 
in  another ;  and,  as  a  native  of  Cashmere,  of  that 
fair  and  Holy  Valley,  which  had  in  the  same  manner 
become  the  prey  of  strangers,^^^  and  seen  her  ancient 
shrines  and  native  princes  swept  away  before  the 
march  of  her  intolerant  invaders,  he  felt  a  sympathy, 
he  owned,  with  the  sufferings  of  the  persecuted  Ghe- 
bers, which  every  monument  like  this  before  them 
but  tended  more  powerfully  to  awaken. 

It  was  the  first  time  that  Feramorz  had  ever 
ventured  upon  so  much  prose  before   Fadladeen, 


144  LALLA  ROOKH. 

and  it  may  easily  be  conceived  what  effect  such 
prose  as  this  must  have  produced  upon  that  most 
orthodox  and  most  pagan-hating  personage.  He  sat 
for  some  minutes  agliast,  ejaculating  only  at  inter- 
vals, "  Bigoted  conquerors  !  —  sympathy  with  Fire- 
worshippers  !  "  ^^^  —  while  Feramorz,  happy  to  take 
advantage  of  this  almost  speechless  horror  of  the 
Chamberlain,  proceeded  to  say  that  he  knew  a  mel- 
ancholy story,  connected  with  the  events  of  one  of 
those  struggles  of  the  brave  Fire-worshippers  against 
their  Arab  masters,  which,  if  the  evening  was  not 
too  far  advanced,  he  should  have  much  pleasure  in 
being  allowed  to  relate  to  the  Princess.  It  was  im- 
possible for  Lalla  Rookh  to  refuse  ;  —  he  had 
never  before  looked  half  so  animated ;  and  when  be 
spoke  of  the  Holy  Valley  his  eyes  had  sparkled,  she 
thought,  like  the  talismanic  characters  on  the  scimi- 
tar of  Solomon.  Her  consent  was  therefore  most 
readily  granted ;  and  while  Fadladeen  sat  in  un- 
speakable dismay,  expecting  treason  and  abomina- 
tion in  every  line,  the  poet  thus  began  his  story  of 
the  Fire-worshippers  :  — 


i 


T 


>>-i.^ 


I^^gj^^gjj 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS. 


'T  IS  moonlight  over  Oman's  Sea  ;  •^^ 

Her  banks  of  pearl  and  palmy  isles 
Bask  in  the  night-beam  bealiteously, 

And  her  blue  waters  sleep  in  smiles. 
'T  is  moonlight  in  Harmozia's  "^^  walls, 
And  through  her  Emir's  porphyry  halls, 
Where,  some  hours  since,  was  heard  the  swell 
Of  trumpet  and  the  clash  of  zel,-^® 
Bidding  the  bright-eyed  sun  farewell ;  — 
The  peaceful  sun,  whom  better  suits 

The  music  of  the  bulbiil's  nest, 
Or  the  light  touch  of  lovers'  lutes, 

To  sing  him  to  his  golden  rest. 
All  hushed  —  there  's  not  a  breeze  in  motion  ; 
The  shore  is  silent  as  the  ocean. 
If  zephyrs  come,  so  light  they  come, 

,  Nor  leaf  is  stirred  nor  wave  is  driven  ;  — 
The  wind-tower  on  the  Emir's  dome  -^^ 

Can  hardly  win  a  breath  from  heaven. 

Even  he,  that  tyrant  Arab,  sleeps 
10 


146  LALLA  ROOKH. 

Calm,  while  a  nation  round  him  weeps  ; 

While  curses  load  the  air  he  breathes, 

And  falchions  from  unnumbered  sheaths 

Are  starting  to  avenge  the  shame 

His  race  hath  brought  on  Iran's  ^^^  name. 

Hard,  heartless  Chief,  inimoved  alike 

Mid  eyes  that  weep,  and  swords  that  strike ;  — 

One  of  that  saintly,  nuu'derous  brood, 

To  carnage  and  the  Koran  given. 
Who  think  through  unbelievers'  blood 

Lies  their  directest  path  to  heaven  ;  — 
One,  who  will  pause  and  kneel  luishod 

In  the  warm  blood  his  hand  hath  poured, 
To  mutter  o'er  some  text  of  God 

Engraven  on  his  reeking  sword ;  —  ^^^ 
Nay,  who  can  coolly  note  the  line, 
The  letter  of  those  words  divine, 
To  which  his  blade,  with  searching  art. 
Had  sunk  into  its  victim's  heart ! 

Just  Alla  !  what  must  be  thy  look. 

When  such  a  wretch  before  thee  stands 
Unblushing,  with  thy  Sacred  Book,  — 

Turning  the  leaves  with  blood-stained  hands. 
And  wresting  from  its  page  sublime 
His  creed  of  lust,  and  hate,  and  crime ;  — 
Even  as  those  bees  of  Trebizoxd, 

Which,  from  the  sunniest  flowers  that  glad 
With  their  pure  smile  the  gardens  roimd, 

Draw  venom  forth  that  drives  men  mad.^^" 


THE  riRE-WOESHIPPERS.  147 

Never  did  fierce  Arabia  send 

A  satrap  forth  more  direly  great ; 
Never  was  Iran  doomed  to  bend 

Beneath  a  yoke  of  deadlier  weight. 
Her  throne  had  fallen  —  her  pride  was  crushed  — 
Her  sons  were  willing  slaves,  nor  blushed, 
In  their  own  land,  —  no  more  their  own,  — 
To  crouch  beneath  a  stranger's  throne. 
Her  towers,  where  Mithra  once  had  burned, 
To  Moslem  shrines  —  oh,  shame  !  —  were  turned, 
Where  slaves,  converted  by  the  sword. 
Their  mean,  apostate  worship  poured, 
And  cursed  the  faith  their  sires  adored. 
Yet  has  she  hearts,  mid  all  this  ill, 
O'er  all  this  wreck  high  buoyant  still 
With  hope  and  vengeance ;  —  hearts  that  yet  — 

Like  gems,  in  darkness,  issuing  rays 
They  've  treasured  from  the  sun  that 's  set,  — 

Beam  all  the  light  of  long-lost  days  ! 
And  swords  she  hath,  nor  weak  nor  slow 

To  second  all  such  hearts  can  dare ; 
As  he  shall  know,  well,  dearly  know, 

Who  sleeps  in  moonlight  luxury  there, 
Tranquil  as  if  his  spirit  lay 
Becalmed  in  Heaven's  approving  ray. 
Sleep  on  —  for  purer  eyes  than  thine 
Those  waves  are  hushed,  those  planets  shine  ; 
Sleep  on,  and  be  thy  rest  unmoved 

By  the  white  moonbeam's  dazzling  power ;  — 
None  but  the  loving  and  the  loved 

Should  be  awake  at  this  sweet  hour. 


148  LALLA   ROOKH. 

And  see  —  where,  high  above  those  rocks 
That  o'er  the  deep  their  shadows  fling, 
Yon  turret  stands ;  —  where  ebon  locks, 
As  glossy  as  a  heron's  wing 
Upon  the  turljan  of  a  king,-^-^ 
Hang  from  the  lattice,  long  and  wild,  — 
'T  is  she,  that  Emir's  blooming  child, 
All  truth  and  tenderness  and  grace, 
Though  born  of  such  imgentle  race  ;  — 
An  image  of  Youth's  radiant  Fountain 
Springing  in  a  desolate  mountain  !  -"^ 

Oh,  what  a  pure  and  sacred  thing- 
Is  Beauty,  curtained  from  the  sight 

Of  the  gross  world,  illumining 
One  only  mansion  with  her  light ! 

Unseen  by  man's  disturbing  eye, — 

The  flower  that  blooms  beneath  the  sea, 

Too  deep  for  sunbeams,  doth  not  lie 
Hid  in  more  chaste  obscurity. 

So,  HiNDA,  have  thy  face  and  mind, 

Like  holy  mysteries,  lain  enshrined. 

And  oh,  what  transport  for  a  lover 

To  lift  the  veil  that  shades  them  o'er !  — 

Like  those  who,  all  at  once,  discover 
In  the  lone  deep  some  fairy  shore, 
Where  mortal  never  trod  before, 

And  sleep  and  wake  in  scented  airs 

No  lip  had  ever  breathed  but  theirs. 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  149 

Beautiful  are  the  maids  that  glide, 

On  summer-eves,  through  Yemen's  ^^  dales, 
And  bright  the  glancing  looks  they  hide 

Behind  their  litters'  roseate  veils  ;  — 
And  brides,  as  delicate  and  fair 
As  the  white  jasmine  flowers  they  wear. 
Hath  Yehen  in  her  blissful  clime, 

"VYlio,  lulled  in  cool  kiosk  or  bower,^^* 
Before  their  mirrors  count  the  time,-^ 

And  grow  still  lovelier  every  hour. 
But  never  yet  hath  bride  or  maid 

In  Araby's  gay  Harem  smiled. 
Whose  boasted  brightness  would  not  fade 

Before  Al  Hassan's  blooming  child. 

Light  as  the  angel  shapes  that  bless 
An  infant's  dream,  yet  not  the  less 
Rich  in  all  woman's  loveliness  ;  — 
With  eyes  so  pure,  that  from  their  ray 
Dark  Vice  would  turn  abashed  away, 
Blinded  like  ser^^ents,  when  they  gaze 
Upon  the  emerald's  virgin  blaze ;  —  -"® 
Yet  filled  with  all  youth's  sweet  desires, 
Mingling  the  meek  and  vestal  fires 
Of  other  worlds  with  all  the  bliss, 
The  fond,  weak  tenderness  of  this  : 
A  soul,  too,  more  than  half  divine, 

Wliere,  through  some  shades  of  earthly  feelings 
Religion's  softened  glories  shine. 

Like  light  through  summer  foliage  stealing, 


150  LALLA  ROOKII. 

Shedding  a  glow  of  such  mild  hue, 
So  warm,  and  yet  so  shadowy  too. 
As  makes  the  very  darkness  there 
More  beautiful  than  light  elsewhere. 

Such  is  the  maid  w^ho,  at  this  hour, 

Hath  risen  from  her  restless  sleep. 
And  sits  alone  in  that  high  bower. 

Watching  the  still  and  shining  deep. 
Ah  !  't  was  not  tlius  —  with  tearful  eyes 

And  beating  heart — she  used  to  gaze 
On  the  magnificent  earth  and  skies, 

In  her  own  land,  in  happier  days. 
Why  looks  she  now  so  anxious  down 
Among  those  rocks,  whose  rugged  frown 

Blackens  the  mirror  of  the  deep  ? 
Wliom  waits  she  all  this  lonely  night, 

Too  rough  the  rocks,  too  bold  the  steep, 
For  man  to  scale  that  turret's  height !  — 

So  deemed  at  least  her  thoughtful  sire. 

When  high,  to  catch  the  cool  night-air. 
After  the  day-beam's  withering  fire,"^^^ 

He  built  her  bower  of  freshness  there, 
And  had  it  decked  with  costliest  skill. 

And  fondly  thought  it  safe  as  fair  :  — 
Think,  reverend  dreamer  !  think  so  still. 

Nor  wake  to  learn  what  Love  can  dare  ;  - 
Love,  all-defying  Love,  who  sees 
No  charm  in  trophies  won  with  ease  ;  — 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  151 

"Wliose  rarest,  dearest  fruits  of  bliss 
Are  plucked  on  Danger's  precipice  ! 
Bolder  than  they,  who  dare  not  dive 

For  pearls,  but  when  the  sea  's  at  rest, 
Love,  in  the  temjDest  most  alive. 

Hath  ever  held  that  pearl  the  best 
He  finds  beneath  the  stormiest  water. 
Yes  —  Akaby's  unrivalled  daughter, 
Though  high  that  tower,  that  rock-way  rude, 

There  's  one  who,  but  to  kiss  thy  cheek, 
Would  climb  th'  untrodden  solitude 

Of  Ararat's  tremendous  peak,'-^-^ 
And  think  its  steej^s,  though  dark  and  dread, 
Heaven's  pathways,  if  to  thee  they  led  ! 
Even  now  thou  seest  the  flashing  spray, 
That  lights  his  oar's  impatient  way  ;  — 
Even  now  thou  hearest  the  sudden  shock 
Of  his  swift  bark  against  the  rock. 
And  stretchest  down  thy  arms  of  snow. 
As  if  to  lift  him  from  below ! 
Like  her  to  whom,  at  dead  of  night, 
The  bridegroom,  with  his  locks  of  light,^^ 
Came,  in  the  flush  of  love  and  pride, 
And  scaled  the  terrace  of  his  bride  ;  — 
When,  as  she  saw  him  rashly  spring. 
And  midway  up  in  danger  cling. 
She  flung  him  down  her  long  black  hair. 
Exclaiming,  breathless,  "  There,  love,  there  !  " 
And  scarce  did  manlier  nerve  uphold 

The  hero  Zal  in  that  fond  hour, 


152  LALLA   ROOKH. 

Than  wings  the  youth  who,  fleet  and  bold, 
Now  cHmbs  the  rocks  to  Hinda's  bower. 

See  —  light  as  up  their  granite  steeps 
The  rock-goats  of  Arabia  clamber,-^" 

Fearless  from  crag  to  crag  he  leaps, 
•^And  now  is  in  the  maiden's  chamber. 

She  loves  —  but  knows  not  whom  she  loves, 

Nor  what  his  race,  nor  whence  he  came ;  — 
Like  one  who  meets,  in  Indian  groves. 

Some  beauteous  bird  without  a  name, 
Brought  by  the  last  ambrosial  breeze. 
From  isles  in  th'  undiscovered  seas. 
To  show  his  plumage  for  a  day 
To  wondering  eyes,  and  wing  away  ! 
Will  he  thus  fly  —  her  nameless  lover  ? 

All  A  forbid  !  't  was  by  a  moon 
As  fair  as  this,  while  singing  over 

Some  ditty  to  her  soft  Kanoon,-^^ 
Alone,  at  this  same  witching  hour, 

She  first  beheld  his  radiant  eyes 
Gleam  through  the  lattice  of  the  bower. 

Where  nightly  now  they  mix  their  sighs ; 
And  thought  some  spirit  of  the  air 
(For  what  could  waft  a  mortal  there  ?) 
Was  pausing  on  his  moonlight  way 
To  listen  to  her  lonely  lay  ! 
This  fancy  ne'er  hath  left  her  mind : 

And  —  though,  when  terror's  swoon  had  past. 
She  saw  a  youth,  of  mortal  kind. 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  153 

Before  her  in  obeisance  cast,  — 
Yet  often  since,  when  he  hath  spoken 
Strange,  awful  words,  —  and  gleams  have  broken 
From  his  dark  eyes,  too  bright  to  bear, 

Oh  !  she  hath  feared  her  soul  was  given 
To  some  unhallowed  child  of  air,  — 

Some  erring  Spirit  cast  from  heaven. 
Like  those  angelic  youths  of  old, 
"V\nio  burned  for  maids  of  mortal  mould, 
Bewildered  left  the  glorious  skies. 
And  lost  their  heaven  for  woman's  eyes. 
Fond  girl !  nor  fiend  nor  angel  he 
Wlio  woos  thy  young  simplicity  ; 
But  one  of  earth's  impassioned  sons. 

As  warm  in  love,  as  fierce  in  ire. 
As  the  best  heart  whose  current  runs 

Full  of  the  Day-God's  living  fire. 
But  quenched  to-night  that  ardor  seems. 

And  pale  his  cheek,  and  sunk  his  brow  ;  — 
Never  before,  but  in  her  dreams, 

Had  she  beheld  him  pale  as  noAv : 
And  those  were  dreams  of  troubled  sleep. 
From  which  't  was  joy  to  wake  and  weep  ; 
Visions,  that  will  not  be  forgot. 

But  sadden  every  waking  scene. 
Like  warning  ghosts,  that  leave  the  spot 

All  withered  where  they  once  have  been. 

"  How  sweetly,"  said  the  trembling  maid. 
Of  her  own  sentle  voice  afraid, 


154  LALLA   ROOKH. 

So  long  had  they  in  silence  stood, 

Looking  upon  that  tranquil  flood,  — 

"  How  sweetly  does  the  moon-beam  smile 

"  To-night  upon  yon  leafy  isle  ! 

"  Oft,  in  my  fancy's  wanderings, 

"  I  've  wished  that  little  isle  had  wings, 

"  And  we,  within  its  fairy  bowers, 

"  Were  wafted  off  to  seas  unknown, 
"  Where  not  a  pulse  should  beat  but  ours, 

"  And  we  might  live,  love,  die  alone  ! 
"  Far  from  the  cruel  and  the  cold,  — 

"  Wliere  the  bright  eyes  of  angels  only 
"  Should  come  around  us,  to  behold 

"  A  paradise  so  pure  and  lonely. 
"  Would  this  be  world  enough  for  thee  ?  "  — 
Playful  she  turned,  that  he  might  see 

The  passing  smile  her  cheek  put  on ; 
But  when  she  marked  how  mournfully 

His  eyes  met  hers,  that  smile  was  gone ; 
And,  bursting  into  heartfelt  tears, 
"  Yes,  yes,"  she  cried,  "  my  hourly  fears, 
"  My  dreams  have  boded  all  too  right  — 
"  We  part  —  forever  part  —  to-night ! 
"  I  knew,  I  knew  it  could  not  last  — 
"  'T  was  bright,  't  was  heavenly,  but  't  is  past ! 
"  Oh !  ever  thus,  from  childhood's  hour, 

"  I  've  seen  my  fondest  hopes  decay ; 
"  I  never  loved  a  tree  or  flower, 

"  But 't  was  the  first  to  fade  away. 
"  I  never  nursed  a  dear  gazelle, 


THE  FIHE-WOESHIPPERS.  155 

"  To  glad  me  with  its  soft  black  eye, 
"  But  when  it  came  to  know  me  well, 

V  And  love  me,  it  was  sure  to  die  ! 
"  Now  too  —  the  joy  most  like  di\dne 

"  Of  all  I  ever  dreamt  or  knew, 
"  To  see  thee,  hear  thee,  call  thee  mine,  — 

"  Oh  misery  !  must  I  lose  that  too  ? 
"  Yet  go  —  on  peril's  brink  we  meet ;  — 

"Those  frightful  rocks  —  that  treacherous  sea  — 
"  No,  never  come  again  —  though  sweet, 

"  Though  heaven,  it  may  be  death  to  thee. 
"  Farewell  —  and  blessings  on  thy  way, 

"  Wliere'er  thou  goest,  beloved  stranger ! 
"  Better  to  sit  and  watch  that  ray, 
"  And  think  thee  safe,  though  far  away, 

"  Than  have  thee  near  me,  and  in  danger  !  " 

"  Danger  !  —  oh,  tempt  me  not  to  boast  "  — 
The  youth  exclaimed  —  "  thou  little  knowest 
"  Wliat  he  can  brave,  who,  born  and  nurst 
"  In  Danger's  paths,  has  dared  her  worst ; 
"  Upon  whose  ear  the  signal-word 

"  Of  strife  and  death  is  hourly  breaking ; 
"  Wlio  sleeps  with  head  upon  the  sword 

"  His  fevered  hand  must  grasp  in  waking. 
"  Danger ! "  — 

"  Say  on  —  thou  fear'st  not  then, 
"  And  we  may  meet  —  oft  meet  again  ?  " 

"  Oh  !  look  not  so  —  beneath  the  skies 


156  LALLA   ROOKH. 

"  I  now  fear  nothing  but  those  eyes. 

"  If  aught  on  earth  could  charm  or  force 

"  My  spirit  from  its  destined  course,  — 

"  If  auglit  could  make  this  soul  forget 

"  The  bond  to  which  its  seal  is  set, 

"  'T  would  be  those  eyes  ;  —  they,  only  they, 

"  Could  melt  that  sacred  seal  away  ! 

"  But  no  —  't  is  fixed  —  my  awful  doom   ~ 

"  Is  fixed  —  on  this  side  of  the  tomb 

"  We  meet  no  more  ;  —  why,  why  did  Heaven 

"  Mingle  two  souls  that  earth  has  riven, 

"  Has  rent  asunder  wide  as  ours  ? 

"  Oh,  Arab  maid,  as  soon  the  Powers 

"  Of  Light  and  Darkness  may  combine, 

"  As  I  be  linked  with  thee  or  thine  ! 

"  Thy  Father  " • 

"  Holy  Alla  save 

"  His  gray  head  from  that  lightning  glance  ! 
"  Thou  knowest  him  not —  he  loves  the  brave  ; 

"  Nor  lives  there  under  heaven's    exjoanse 
"  One  who  would  prize,  would  worship  thee 
"  And  thy  bold  spirit,  more  than  he. 
"  Oft  when,  in  childhood,  I  have  played 

"  With  the  bright  falchion  by  his  side, 
"  I  've  heard  him  swear  his  lisping  maid 

"  In  time  should  be  a  warrior's  bride. 
"  And  still,  whene'er  at  Harem  hours, 
"  I  take  him  cool  sherbets  and  flowers, 
"  He  tells  me,  when  in  playful  mood, 

"•  A  hero  shall  my  bridegroom  be, 


THE   FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  157 

"  Since  maids  are  best  in  battle  wooed, 

"  And  won  with  shouts  of  victory  ! 
"  Nay,  turn  not  from  me  —  thou  alone 
"  Art  formed  to  make  both  hearts  thy  own. 
"  Go  —  join  his  sacred  ranks  —  thou  knowest 

"  Th'  imholy  strife  these  Persians  wage  :  — 
"  Good  Heaven,  that  frown ! — even  now  thou  glow'st 

"  With  more  than  mortal  warrior's  rage. 
"  Haste  to  the  camp  by  morning's  light, 
"  And,  when  that  sword  is  raised  in  fight, 
"  Oh,  still  remember,  Love  and  I 
"  Beneath  its  shadow  trembling  lie  ! 
"  One  victory  o'er  those  Slaves  of  Fire, 
"  Those  impious  Ghebers,  wl.om  my  sire 

"  Abhors  " 

"  Hold,  hold  —  thy  words  are  death  "  — 

The  stranger  cried,  as  wild  he  flung 
His  mantle  back,  and  showed  beneath 

The  Gheber  belt  that  round  him  clung. —  ^^■- 
"  Here,  maiden,  look  —  weei3  —  blush  to  see 
"vAll  that  thy  sire  abhors  in  me  ! 
"  Yes  —  /  am  of  that  impious  race, 

"  Those  Slaves  of  Fire  who,  morn  and  even, 
"  Hail  their  Creator's  dwelling-place 

"  Among  the  living  lights  of  heaven  :  -'^'^ 
"  Yes  —  /am  of  that  outcast  few, 
"  To  Iran  and  to  vengeance  true, 
"  Who  curse  the  hour  your  Arabs  came 
"  To  desolate  oiu-  shrines  of  flame, 
"  And  swear,  before  God's  burning  eye. 


158  LALLA   KOOKH. 

"  To  break  our  country's  chains,  or  die  ! 
"  Thy  bigot  sire,  —  nay,  tremble  not,  — 

"  He,  who  gave  birth  to  those  dear  eyes, 
"  With  me  is  sacred  as  the  sjDOt 

"  From  which  our  fires  of  worship  rise  ! 
"  But  know  —  't  was  he  I  sought  that  night, 

"  When,  from  my  watch-boat  on  the  sea, 
"  I  caught  this  turret's  glimmering  light, 

"  And  up  the  rude  rocks  desperately 
"  Rushed  to  my  prey  —  thou  know'st  the  rest  — 
"  I  climbed  the  gory  vulture's  nest, 
"  And  found  a  tremblitig  dove  within  ;  — 
"  Thine,  thine  the  victory  —  thine  the  sin  — 
"  If  Love  hath  made  one  thought  his  own, 
"  That  Vengeance  claims  first  —  last  —  alone  ! 
"  Oh  !  had  we  never,  never  met, 
"  Or  could  this  heart  even  now  forget 
"  How  linked,  how  blessed  we  might  have  been, 
"  Had  fate  not  frowned  so  dark  between  ! 
"  Hadst  thou  been  born  a  Persian  maid, 

"  In  neighboring  valleys  had  we  dwelt,  " 

"  Through  the  same  fields  in  childhood  jilayed, 

"  At  the  same  kindling  altar  knelt,  — 
"  Then,  then,  while  all  those  nameless  ties, 
"  In  which  the  charm  of  Country  lies, 
"  Had  round  our  hearts  been  hourly  spun, 
"  Till  Iran's  cause  and  thine  were  one  ; 
"  While  in  thy  lute's  awakening  sigh 
"  I  heard  the  voice  of  days  gone  by, 
"  And  saw,  in  every  smile  of  thine, 


THE   FIRE-WORSHIFPEES.  159 

"  Returning  hours  of  glory  shine  ;  — 
"  While  the  wronged  Spirit  of  our  Land 

"  Lived,  looked,  and  spoke  her  wrongs  through 
thee,  — 
"  God  !  who  could  then  this  sword  withstand  ? 

"  Its  very  flash  were  victory  ! 
"  But  now  —  estranged,  divorced  forever, 
"  Far  as  the  grasp  of  Fate  can  sever ; 
"  Our  only  ties  what  love  has  wove,  — 

"  In  faith,  friends,  country,  sundered  wide  ; 
"  And  then,  then  only,  true  to  love, 

"  When  false  to  all  that 's  dear  beside  ! 
"  Thy  father  Iran's  deadliest  foe  — 
"  Thyself,  perhaj^s,  even  now  —  but  no  — 
"  Hate  never  looked  so  lovely  yet ! 

"  No  —  sacred  to  thy  soul  will  be 
"  The  land  of  him  who  could  forget 

"  All  but  that  bleeding  land  for  thee. 
"  When  other  eyes  shall  see,  unmoved, 

"  Her  widows  mourn,  her  warriors  fall, 
"  Thou  'It  think  how  well  one  Gheber  loved, 

"  And  for  his  sake  thou  'It  weep  for  all ! 

"But  look" 

With  sudden  start  he  turned 

And  jDointed  to  the  distant  wave, 
Wliere  lights,  like  charnel  meteors,  bia^ned 

Bluely,  as  o'er  some  seaman's  grave  ; 
And  fiery  darts,  at  intervals,-^'* 

Flew  up  all  sparkling  from  the  n\ain, 
As  if  each  star  that  nightly  falls. 


160  LALLA    ROOKH. 

Were  shooting  back  to  heaven  again. 
"  My  signal  liglits  !  —  I  mnst  away  — 
"  Both,  both  are  ruined,  if  I  stay. 
"  Farewell  —  sweet  life  !  thou  cling'st  in  vain  - 
"  Now,  Vengeance,  I  am  thine  again  !  " 

Fiercely  he  bi'oke  away,  nor  stopped, 

Nor  looked  —  but  from  the  lattice  dropped 

Down  mid  the  pointed  crags  beneath, 

As  if  he  fled  from  love  to  death. 

While  pale  and  mute  young  Hinda  stood, 

Nor  moved,  till  in  the  silent  flood 

A  momentary  plunge  below 

Startled  her  from  her  trance  of  woe  ;  — 

Shrieking  she  to  the  lattice  flew, 

"  I  come  —  I  come  —  if  in  that  tide 
"  Thou  sleep'st  to-night,  I  '11  sleep  there  too, 

"  In  death's  cold  wedlock,  by  thy  side. 
"  Oh !  I  would  ask  no  happier  bed 

"  Than  the  chill  wave  my  love  lies  under  — 
"  Sweeter  to  rest  together  dead, 

"  Far  sweeter,  than  to  live  asunder  !  " 
But  no  —  their  hour  is  not  yet  come  : 

Again  she  sees  his  pinnace  fly, 
Wafting  him  fleetly  to  his  home. 

Where'er  that  ill-starred  home  may  lie  ; 
And  calm  and  smooth  it  seemed  to  win 

Its  moonlight  way  before  the  wind. 
As  if  it  bore  all  peace  within, 

Nor  left  one  breaking  heart  behind  ! 


The  Princess,  whose  heart  was  sad  enough  al- 
ready, could  have  wished  that  Feramorz  had  chosen 
a  less  melancholy  story ;  as  it  is  only  to  the  happy 
that  tears  are  a  luxury.  Her  Ladies,  however,  were 
hif  no  means  sorry  that  love  Avas  once  more  the 
Poet's  theme ;  for,  whenever  he  spoke  of  love,  thejr 
said,  his  voice  was  as  sweet  as  if  he  had  chewed  the 
leaves  of  that  enclianted  tree,  which  grows  over  the 
tomb  of  the  musician,  Tan-Sein.^^^ 


Their  road  all  the  morning  had  lain  through  a  very 
dreary  country ;  —  through  valleys,  covered  with  a 
low  bushy  jungle,  where,  in  more  than  one  place,  the 
awful  signal  of  the  bamboo  staff,^^^  with  the  white 
flag  at  its  top,  reminded  the  traveller  that,  in  that 
very  spot,  the  tiger  had  made  some  human  creature, 
his  victim.  It  was,  therefore,  with  much  pleasure 
that  they  arrived  at  sunset  in  a  safe  and  lovely  glen, 
and  encamped  under  one  of  those  holy  trees,  whose 
smooth  columns  and  spreading  roofs  seem  to  destine 
them  for  natural  temples  of  religion.  Beneath  this 
spacious  shade,  some  pious  hands  had  erected  a  row 
of  pillars  ornamented  with  the  most  beautiful  porce- 
lain,^^'' which  now  supplied  the  use  of  mifrors  to  the 
11 


162 


LALLA   ROOKH. 


young  maidens,  as  they  adjusted  their  hair  in  de- 
scending from  the  palankeens.  Here,  while,  as 
usual,  the  Princess  sat  listening  anxiously,  with 
Fadladeen  in  one  of  his  loftiest  moods  of  criti- 
cism by  her  side,  the  young  Poet,  leaning  against  a 
branch  of  the  tree,  thus  continued  his  story :  — 


The  morn  hath  risen  clear  and  cahii, 

And  o'er  the  Green  Sea  ^^^  palely  shines, 
Revealing  Bahrein's  groves  ^®  of  palm, 

And  lighting  Kishma's  ^^  amber  vines. 
Fresh  smell  the  shores  of  Araby, 
While  breezes  from  the  Indian  sea 
Blow  round  Selama's  "^°  sainted  cape, 

And  curl  the  shining  flood  beneath, — 
Whose  waves  are  rich  with  many  a  grape, 

And  cocoa-nut  and  flowery  wreath. 
Which  pious  seamen,  as  they  pass'd. 
Had  tow'rd  that  holy  headland  cast  — 
Oblations  to  the  Genii  there 
For  gentle  skies  and  breezes  fair  ! 
The  nightingale  now  bends  her  flight  ^^-^ 
From  the  high  trees,  where  all  the  night 

She  sung  so  sweet,  with  none  to  listen ; 
And  hides  her  from  the  morning  star 

Where  thickets  of  jDomegranate  glisten 
In  the  clear  dawn,  —  bespangled  o'er 

With  dew,  whose  night-drops  would  not  stain 
The  best  and  brightest  scimitar  ^*'^ 
That  ever  youthful  Sultan  wore 

On  the  first  mornin<r  of  his  rei^n. 


164  LALLA   ROOKH. 

And  see  —  the  Sun  himself! —  on  wings 
Of  glory  up  the  East  he  springs. 
Anorel  of  Liffht !  who  from  the  time 
Those  heavens  began  their  march  sublime, 
Hath  first  of  all  the  starry  choir 
Trod  in  his  Maker's  steps  of  fire ! 

Where  are  the  days,  thou  wondrous  sphere, 
^Vlien  Iran,  like  a  sun-flower,  turned 
To  meet  that  eye  where'er  it  burned  ?  — 

When,  from  the  banks  of  Bendemeer 
To  the  nut-groves  of  Samarcand, 
Thy  temples  flamed  o'er  all  the  land  ? 
Where  are  they  ?  ask  the  shades  of  them 

Who,  on  Cadessia's  ^''^  bloody  plains. 
Saw  fierce  invaders  pluck  the  gem 
From  Iran's  broken  diadem, 

And  bind  her  ancient  faith  in  chains  :  — 
Ask  the  poor  exile,  cast  alone 
On  foreign  shores,  unloved,  unknown. 
Beyond  the  Caspian's  Iron  Gates,^''^ 

Or  on  the  snowy  Mossian  mountains, 
Far  from  his  beauteous  land  of  dates. 

Her  jasmine  bowers  and  sunny  fountains  : 
Yet  happier  so  than  if  he  trod 
His  own  beloved,  but  blighted,  sod. 
Beneath  a  despot  stranger's  nod  !  — 
Oh,  he  would  rather  houseless  roam 

Where  Freedom  and  his  God  may  lead. 
Than  be  the  sleekest  slave  at  home 

That  crouches  to  the  conqueror's  creed  ! 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  165 

Is  iRAjsf's  pride  then  gone  forever, 

Quenched  with  the  flame  in  Mithra's  caves  ?  — 
No  —  she  has  sons,  that  never  —  never  — 
Will  stoop  to  be  the  Moslem's  slaves, 
While  heaven  has  light  or  eai-th  has  graves  ;  — 
Spirits  of  fire,  that  brood  not  long, 
But  flash  resentment  back  for  wrong  ; 
And  hearts  where,  ,slow  but  deep,  the  seeds 
Of  vengeance  ripen  into  deeds. 
Till,  in  some  treacherous  hour  of  calm, 
They  burst,  like  Zeilan's  giant  palm,^^^ 
Whose  buds  fly  open  with  a  sound 
That  shakes  the  pigmy  forests  round  ! 

Yes,  Emir  !  he,  who  scaled  that  tower, 

And,  had  he  reached  thy  slumbering  breast, 
Had  taught  thee,  in  a  Gheber's  power 

How  safe  e'en  tyrant  heads  may  rest  — 
Is  one  of  many,  brave  as  he, 
Who  loathe  thy  haughty  race  and  thee  ; 
Who,  though  they  know  the  strife  is  vain, 
Who,  though  they  know  the  riven  chain 
Snaps  but  to  enter  in  the  heart 
Of  him  who  rends  its  links  apart. 
Yet  dare  the  issue,  —  blest  to  be 
E'en  for  one  bleeding  moment  free. 
And  die  in  pangs  of  liberty  ! 
Thou  know'st  them  well  —  't  is  some  moons  since 

Thy  turban  ed  troops  and  blood-red  flags, 
Thou  satrap  of  a  bigot  Prince, 

Have  swarmed  among  these  Green  Sea  crags  ; 


166  LALLA   ROOK II. 

Yet  here,  e'en  here,  a  sacred  band 

Ay,  in  the  portal  of  that  land 

Thou,  Arab,  dar'st  to  call  thy  own. 

Their  spears  across  thy  path  have  thrown ; 

Here  —  ere  the  winds  half  winged  thee  o'er- 

Rebellion  braved  thee  from  the  shore. 

Rebellion  !  foul,  dishonoring  word, 

Whose  wrongful  blight  so  oft  has  stained 
The  holiest  cause  that  tongue  or  sword 

Of  mortal  ever  lost  or  gained. 
How  many  a  spirit,  born  to  bless, 

Hath  sunk  beneath  that  withering  name, 
Wliom  but  a  day's,  an  hour's  success 

Had  wafted  to  eternal  fame  ! 
As  exhalations,  when  they  burst 
From  the  warm  earth,  if  chilled  at  first. 
If  checked  in  soaring  from  the  plain. 
Darken  to  fogs  and  sink  again  ;  — 
But,  if  they  once  triumphant  spread 
Their  wings  above  the  mountain-head, 
Become  enthroned  in  upper  air, 
And  turn  to  sun-bright  glories  there  ! 

And  who  is  he,  that  wields  the  might 
Of  Freedom  on  the  Green  Sea  brink. 

Before  whose  sabre's  dazzling  light  -^^ 
The  eyes  of  Yemen's  warriors  wink  ? 

Who  comes,  embowered  in  the  spears 

Of  Kerman's  hardy  mountaineers  ?  — 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  167 

Those  mountaineers  that  truest,  last, 
Cling  to  their  country's  ancient  rites, 

As  if  that  God,  whose  eyelids  cast 

Their  closing  gleam  on  Iran's  heights, 

Among  her  snowy  mountains  threw 

The  last  light  of  his  worship  too  ! 

'T  is  Hafed  —  name  of  fear,  whose  sound 

Chills  like  the  muttering  of  a  charm !  — 
Shout  but  that  awful  name  around, 

And  palsy  shakes  the  manliest  arm. 
'T  is  Hafed,  most  accursed  and  dire 
(So  ranked  by  Moslem  hate  and  ire) 
Of  all  the  rebel  Sons  of  Fire ; 
Of  whose  malign,  tremendous  power 
The  Arabs,  at  their  mid-watch  hour, 
Such  tales  of  fearful  wonder  tell. 
That  each  affrighted  sentinel 
Pulls  down  his  cowl  upon  his  eyes. 
Lest  Hafed  in  the  midst  should  rise ! 
A  man,  they  say,  of  monstrous  birth, 
A  mingled  race  of  flame  and  earth, 
Sprung  from  those  old,  enchanted  kings,^*^ 

Who  in  their  fairy  helms,  of  yore 
A  feather  from  the  mystic  wings 

Of  the  Simoorgh  resistless  wore ; 
And  gifted  by  the  Fiends  of  Fire, 
Who  groaned  to  see  their  shrines  expire. 
With  charms  that,  all  in  vain  withstood, 
Would  drown  the  Koran's  liofht  in  blood  ! 


108  LALLA   ROOKH. 

Such  were  the  tales,  that  won  belief, 

And  such  the  coloring  Fancy  gave 
To  a  young,  warm,  and  dauntless  Chief,  — 

One  who,  no  more  than  mortal  brave, 
Fought  for  the  land  his  soul  adored. 

For  hap25y  homes  and  altars  free,  — 
His  only  talisman,  the  sword. 

His  only  spell-word,  Liberty  ! 
One  of  that  ancient  hero  line, 
Along  whose  glorious  current  shine 
Names,  that  have  sanctified  their  blood  ; 
As  Lebanon's  small  mountain-flood 
Is  rendered  holy  by  the  ranks 
Of  sainted  cedars  on  its  banks.-*® 
'T  was  not  for  him  to  crouch  the  knee 
Tamely  to  Moslem  tyranny ; 
'T  was  not  for  him,  whose  soul  was  cast 
In  the  bright  mould  of  ages  past. 
Whose  melancholy  spirit,  fed 
With  all  the  glories  of  the  dead, 
Though  framed  for  Iran's  happiest  years, 
Was  born  among  her  chains  and  teai's  ! 
'T  was  not  for  him  to  swell  the  crowd 
Of  slavish  heads,  that  shrinking  bowed 
Before  the  Moslem,  as  he  passed, 
Like  shrubs  beneath  the  poison-blast  — 
No  —  far  he  fled  —  indignant  fled 

The  pageant  of  his  country's  shame ; 
While  every  tear  her  children  shed 

Fell  on  his  soul  like  drops  of  flame  ; 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  169 

And,  as  a  lover  hails  the  dawn. 

Of  a  first  smile,  so  welcomed  he 
The  sparkle  of  the  first  sword  drawn 

For  vengeance  and  for  liberty  ! 

But  vain  was  valor  —  vain  the  flower 
Of  Kerjian,  in  that  deathful  hour. 
Against  Al  Hassan's  whelming  power. 
In  vain  they  met  him,  helm  to  helm, 
Upon  the  threshold  of  that  realm 
He  came  in  bigot  pomp  to  sway, 
And  with  their  corpses  blocked  his  way  — 
In  vain  —  for  every  lance  they  raised. 
Thousands  around  the  conqueror  blazed  ; 
For  every  arm  that  lined  their  shore, 
Myriads  of  slaves  were  wafted  o'er, — 
A  bloody,  bold,  and  countless  crowd. 
Before  whose  swarm  as  fast  they  bowed 
As  dates  beneath  the  locust  cloud. 

There  stood  —  but  one  short  league  away 
From  old  IIar:mozia's  sultry  bay  — 
A  rocky  mountain,  o'er  the  Sea 
Of  Oman  beetling  awfully  :  "*^ 
A  last  and  solitary  link 

Of  those  stupendous  chains  that  reach 
From  the  broad  Caspian's  reedy  brink 

Down  winding  to  the  Green  Sea  beach. 
Around  its  base  the  bare  rocks  stood, 
Like  naked  mants,  in  the  flood, 


170  LALLA   ROOKH. 

As  if  to  guard  the  Gulf  across ; 
While,  on  its  peak,  that  braved  the  sky, 
A  ruined  Temple  towered,  so  high 

That  oft  the  sleeping  albatross  -^"^ 
Struck  the  wild  ruins  with  her  wing. 
And  from  her  cloud-rocked  slumbering 
Started  —  to  find  man's  dwelling  there 
In  her  own  silent  fields  of  air  ! 
Beneath,  terrific  caverns  gave 
Dark  welcome  to  each  stormy  wave 
That  dashed,  like  midnight  revellers,  in  ;  — 
And  such  the  strange,  mysterious  din 
At  times  throughout  those  caverns  rolled,  — 
And  such  the  fearful  wonders  told 
Of  restless  sprites  imprisoned  there, 
That  bold  were  Moslem,  who  would  dare, 
At  twilight  hour,  to  steer  his  skiff 
Beneath  the  Gheber's  lonely  cliff.-^^ 

On  the  land  side,  those  towers  sublime. 
That  seemed  above  the  grasp  of  Time, 
Were  severed  from  the  haunts  of  men 
By  a  wide,  deep,  and  wizard  glen. 
So  fathomless,  so  full  of  gloom. 

No  eye  could  pierce  the  void  between : 
It  seemed  a  place  where  Gholes  might  come 
With  their  foul  banquets  from  the  tomb, 

And  in  its  caverns  feed  unseen. 
Like  distant  thunder,  from  below, 

The  sound  of  many  torrents  came, 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  171 

Too  deep  for  eye  or  ear  to  know 
If  't  were  the  sea's  imprisoned  flow, 

Or  floods  of  ever-restless  flame. 
For,  each  ravine,  each  rocky  spire 
Of  that  vast  monntain  stood  on  fire  ;  ^^^ 
And,  though  forever  past  the  days 
When  God  was  worshipped  in  the  blaze 
That  from  its  lofty  altar  shone,  — 
Though  fled  the  priests,  the  votaries  gone. 
Still  did  the  mighty  flame  burn  on,^^ 
Through  chance   and  change,  through  good  and 

ill, 
Like  its  own  God's  eternal  will. 
Deep,  constant,  bright,  unquenchable  ! 

Thither  the  vanquished  Hafed'  led 

His  little  army's  last  remains  :  — 
"  Welcome,  terrific  glen  !  "  he  said, 
"  Thy  gloom,  that  Eblis'  self  might  dread, 

"  Is  heaven  to  him  who  flies  from  chains  !  " 
O'er  a  dark,  narrow  bridge-way,  known 
To  him  and  to  his  Chiefs  alone. 
They  crossed  the  chasm  and  gained  the  toAvers,  — 
"  This  home,"  he  cried,  "  at  least  is  ours ;  — 
"  Here  we  may  bleed,  immocked  by  hymns 

"  Of  Moslem  triumph  o'er  our  head ; 
"  Here  we  may  fall,  nor  leave  our  limbs 

"  To  quiver  to  the  Moslem's  tread. 
"  Stretched  on  this  rock,  while  vultures'  beaks 
"  Are  whetted  on  our  yet  warm  cheeks, 


172  LALLA  EOOKH. 

"  Here  —  hfippy  that  no  tyrant's  eye 

"  Gloats  on  our  torments  —  we  may  die  !  "  — 

'T  was  night  when  to  those  towers  they  came, 

And  gloomily  the  fitful  flame, 

That  from  the  ruined  altar  broke, 

Glared  on  his  features  as  he  spoke :  — 

"  'T  is  o'er  —  what  men  could  do,  we  've  done 

"  If  Iran  will  look  tamely  on, 

"  And  see  her  priests,  her  warriors  driven 

"  Before  a  sensual  bigot's  nod, 
"  A  wretch  who  shrines  his  lusts  in  heaven, 

"  And  makes  a  pander  of  his  God  ; 
"If  her  proud  sons,  her  high-born  souls, 

"  Men,  in  whose  veins  —  oh,  last  disgrace  ! 
"  The  blood  of  Zai>  and  Eustam  ^^*  rolls,  — 

"  If  they  ivill  court  this  upstart  race, 
"  And  turn  from  Mithra's  ancient  ray, 
"  To  kneel  at  shrines  of  yesterday ; 
"  If  they  tvill  crouch  to  Iran's  foes, 

"  Why,  let  them  —  till  the  land's  despair 
"  Cries  out  to  Heaven,  and  bondage  grows 

"  Too  vile  for  e'en  the  Aale  to  bear  ! 
"  Till  shame  at  last,  long  hidden,  burns 
"  Their  inmost  core,  and  conscience  turns 
"  Each  coward  tear  the  slave  lets  fall 
"  Back  on  his  heart  in  drops  of  gall. 
"  But  here,  at  least,  are  arms  unchained, 
"  And  souls  that  thraldom  never  stained ;  — 

"  This  spot,  at  least,  no  foot  of  slave 


THE   FIRE-WORSUIPPERS.  173 

"  Or  satrap  ever  yet  profaned  ; 

"  And  though  but  few  —  though  fast  the  wave 
"  Of  Ufe  is  ebbing  from  our  veins, 
"  Enough  for  vengeance  still  remains. 
"  As  panthers,  after  set  of  sun, 
"  Rush  from  the  roots  of  Lebanon 
"  Across  the  dark-sea  robber's  way,^^ 
•^  "We  '11  bound  ujjon  our  startled  prey ; 
"  And  when  some  hearts  that  proudest  swell 
"  Have  felt  our  falchion's  last  farewell ; 
"  "NYhen  Hope's  expiring  throb  is  o'er, 
"  And  e'en  despair  can  prompt  no  more, 
"  This  spot  shall  be  the  sacred  grave 
"  Of  the  last  few  who,  vainly  brave, 
"  Die  for  the  land  they  cannot  save  ! 

His  Chiefs  stood  round  —  each  shining  blade 

Upon  the  broken  altar  laid  — 

And  though  so  wild  and  desolate 

Those  courts,  where  once  the  Mighty  sate ; 

Nor  longer  on  those  mouldering  towers 

Was  seen  the  feast  of  fruits  and  flowers, 

With  which  of  old  the  Magi  fed 

The  wandering  Spirits  of  their  dead  ;  -^® 

Though  neither  priest  nor  rites  were  there, 

Nor  charmed  leaf  of  pure  pomegranate  ;  -" 
Nor  hymn,  nor  censer's  fragrant  air, 

Nor  symbol  of  their  worshipped  planet ;  -^' 
Yet  the  same  God  that  heard  their  sires 
Heard  them,  while  on  that  altar's  fires 


174  LALLA    ROOKH. 

They  swore'^^^  the  latest,  holiest  deed 
Of  the  few  hearts,  still  left  to  bleed, 
Should  be,  in  Iran's  injured  name, 
To  die  upon  that  Mount  of  Flame  — 
The  last  of  all  her  patriot  line. 
Before  her  last  untrampled  Shrine  ! 

Brave,  suffering  souls !  they  little  knew 
How  many  a  tear  their  injuries  drew 
From  one  meek  maid,  one  gentle  foe, 
Wliom  love  first  touched  with  others'  woe  — 
Whose  life,  as  free  from  thought  as  sin, 
Slept  like  a  lake,  till  Love  threw  in 
His  talisman,  and  woke  the  tide, 
And  spread  its  trembling  circles  wide. 
Once,  Emir  !  thy  unheeding  child, 
Mid  all  this  havoc,  bloomed  and  smiled,  — 
Tranquil  as  on  some  battle  plain 

The  Persian  lily  shines  and  towers,^*'" 
Before  the  combat's  reddening  stain 

Hath  fallen  upon  her  golden  flowers. 
Light-hearted  maid,  unawed,  unmoved. 
While  Heaven  but  spared  the  sire  she  loved, 
Once  at  thy  evening  tales  of  blood 
Unlistening  and  aloof  she  stood  — 
And  oft,  when  thou  hast  paced  along 

Thy  Harem  halls  with  furious  heat 
Hast  thou  not  cursed  her  cheerful  song. 

That  came  across  thee,  calm  and  sweet, 
Like  lutes  of  angels,  touched  so  near 
Hell's  confines,  that  the  damned  can  hear  ! 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  175 

Far  othei'  feelings  Love  hath  brought  — 

Her  soul  all  flame,  her  brow  all  sadness, 
She  now  has  but  the  one  dear  thought. 

And  thinks  that  o'er,  almost  to  madness ! 
Oft  doth  her  sinking  heart  recall 
His  words,  —  "  For  my  sake  weep  for  all ;  " 
And  bitterly,  as  day  on  day 

Of  rebel  carnage  fast  succeeds, 
She  weeps  a  lover  snatched  away 

In  every  Gheber  wretch  that  bleeds. 
There  's  not  a  sabre  meets  her  eye. 

But  with  his  life-blood  seems  to  swim  ; 
There 's  not  an  arrow  wings  the  sky. 

But  fancy  turns  its  point  to  him. 
No  more  she  brings  with  footstep  light 
Al  Hassan's  falchion  for  the  fight ; 
And,  had  he  looked  with  clearer  sight,  — 
Had  not  the  mists,  that  ever  rise 
From  a  foul  spirit,  dimmed  his  eyes,  — 
He  would  have  marked  her  shuddering  frame. 
When  from  the  field  of  blood  he  came, 
The  faltering  speech  —  the  look  estranged  — 
Voice,  step,  and  life,  and  beauty  changed  — 
He  would  have  marked  all  this,  and  known 
Such  change  is  wrought  by  Love  alone  ! 

Ah  !  not  the  Love  that  should  have  blessed 
So  young,  so  innocent  a  breast ; 
Not  the  pure,  open,  prosperous  Love, 
That,  pledged  on  earth  and  sealed  above, 


176  LALLA  ROOKH. 

Grows  in  the  world's  approving  eyes, 

In  friendship's  smile  and  home's  caress, 
Collecting  all  the  heart's  sAveet  ties 

Into  one  knot  of  happiness  ! 
No,  Hind  A,  no,  —  thy  fatal  flame 
Is  nursed  in  silence,  sorrow,  shame  ;  — 

A  passion,  without  hope  or  pleasure, 
In  thy  soul's  darkness  buried  deep. 

It  lies,  like  some  ill-gotten  treasure,  — 
Some  idol,  without  shrine  or  name. 
O'er  which  its  pale-eyed  votaries  keep 
Unholy  watch,  while  others  sleep. 

Seven  nights  have  darkened  Oman's  sea, 

Since  last,  beneath  the  moonlight  ray, 
She  saw  his  light  oar  rapidly 

Hurry  her  Gheber's  bark  away,  — 
And  still  she  goes,  at  midnight  hour, 
To  weep  alone  in  that  high  bower. 
And  watch,  and  look  along  the  deep 
For  him  whose  smiles  first  made  her  weep ; 
But  watching,  weeping,  all  was  vain. 
She  never  saw  his  bark  again. 
The  owlet's  solitary  cry. 
The  nighthawk,  flitting  darkly  by. 

And  oft  the  hateful  carrion  bird. 
Heavily  flapping  his  clogged  wing. 
Which  reeked  with  that  day's  banqueting  - 

Was  all  she  saw,  was  all  she  heard. 


THE   FIKE-WORSHIPPEKS.  177 

'T  is  the  eighth  morn  —  Al  Hassan's  brow 

Is    brightened  with  unusual  joy  — 
What  mighty  mischief  glacis  him  now, 

Who  never  smiles  but  to  destroy  ? 
The  sparkle  upon  Herkend's  Sea 
When  tossed  at  midnight  furiously,-''^ 
Tells  not  of  wreck  and  ruin  nigh, 
More  surely  than  that  smiling  eye  ! 
"  Up,  daughter,  up  — the  Kerna's-*^-  breath 
"  Has  blown  a  blast  would  waken  death, 
"  And  yet  thou  sleep'st  —  up,  child,  and  see 
"  This  blessed  day  for  Heaven  and  me,  — 
"  A  day  more  rich  in  Pagan  blood 
"  Than  ever  flashed  o'er  Oman's  flood. 
"  Before  another  dawn  shall  shine, 
"  His  head  —  heart  —  limbs  —  Avill  all  be  mine  ; 
"  This  very  night  his  blood  shall  steep 
"  These  hands  all  over  ere  I  sleep  !  "  — 
"  His  blood  !  "  she  faintly  screamed  —  her  mind 
Still  singling  one  from  all  mankind.  — 
"  Yes  —  spite  of  his  ravines  and  towers, 
"  Hafed,  my  child,  this  night  is  ours. 
'•  Thanks  to  all-conquering  treachery, 

"  Without  whose  aid  the  links  accurst, 
"  That  bind  these  impious  slaves,  would  be 

"  Too  strong  for  Alla's  self  to  biu-st ! 
"  That  rebel  fiend,  whose  blade  has  spread 
"  My  path  with  piles  of  Moslem  dead, 
"  Whose  baffling  spells  had  almost  driven 
"  Back  from  their  course  the  Swords  of  Heaven, 

12 


178  LALLA   ROOKH. 

"  This  night,  with  all  his  band,  shall  know 

"  How  deep  an  Arab's  steel  can  go, 

"  Wlien  God  and  Vengeance  speed  the  blow. 

"  And  —  Prophet !  by  that  holy  wreath 

"  Thou  wor'st  on  Ohod's  field  of  death,-®^ 

"  I  swear,  for  every  sob  that  parts 

"  In  anguish  from  these  heathen  hearts, 

"  A  gem  from  Persia's  plundered  mines 

"  Shall  glitter  on  thy  Shrine  of  Shrines. 

"  But,  ha !  —  she  sinks  —  that  look  so  wild  — 

"  Those  livid  lips  —  my  child,  my  child, 

"  This  life  of  blood  befits  not  thee, 

"  And  thou  must  back  to  Araby. 

"  Ne'er  had  I  risked  thy  timid  sex 
"  In  scenes  that  man  himself  might  dread, 
"  Had  I  not  hoped  our  every  tread 

"  Would  be  on  prostrate  Persian  necks  — 
"  Curst  race,  they  oflTer  swords  instead ! 
"  But  cheer  thee,  maid,  —  the  wind  that  now 
"  Is  blowing  o'er  thy  feverish  brow, 
"  To-day  shall  waft  thee  from  the  shore  ; 
"  And,  ere  a  drop  of  this  night's  gore 
"  Have  time  to  chill  in  yonder  towers, 
"  Thou  'It  see  thy  own  sweet  Arab  bowers ! " 

His  bloody  boast  was  all  too  true  ; 
There  lurked  one  wretch  among  the  few 
Wliom  Hafed's  eagle  eye  could  count 
Around  him  on  that  Fiery  Mount,  — 
One  miscreant,  who  for  gold  betrayed 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  179 

The  pathway  through  the  valley's  shade 

To  those  high  towers,  where  Freedom  stood 

In  her  last  hold  of  flame  and  blood. 

Left  on  the  field  last  dreadful  night, 

When,  sallying  from  their  Sacred  height, 

The  Ghebers  fought  hope's  farewell  fight, 

He  lay  —  but  died  not  with  the  brave  ; 

That  sun,  which  should  have  gilt  his  grave, 

Saw  him  a  traitor  and  a  slave  ;  — 

And,  while  the  few,  who  thence  returned 

To  their  high  rocky  fortress,  mourned 

For  him  among  the  matchless  dead 

They  left  behind  on  glory's  bed, 

He  lived,  and,  in  the  face  of  morn. 

Laughed  them  and  Faith  and  Heaven  to  scorn. 

Oh,  for  a  tongue  to  curse  the  slave, 

Whose  treason,  like  a  deadly  blight, 
Comes  o'er  the  councils  of  the  brave. 

And  blasts  them  in  their  hour  of  might ! 
May  Life's  unblessed  cup  for  him 
Be  drugged  with  treacheries  to  the  brim,  — 
With  hopes,  that  but  allure  to  fly  ; 

With  joys,  that  vanish  while  he  sips  ; 
Like  Dead-Sea  fruits,  that  temjDt  the  eye. 

But  turn  to  ashes  on  the  lips  !  -''■* 
His  country's  curse,  his  children's  shame, 
Outcast  of  virtue,  peace,  and  fame, 
May  he,  at  last,  with  lips  of  flame 
On  the  parched  desert  thirsting  die,  — 


180 


LALLA   ROOKH. 


While  lakes,  that  shone  in  mockery  nigh,'-''' 
Are  fading  off,  untouched,  untasted, 
Like  the  once  glorious  hopes  he  blasted ! 
And,  when  from  earth  his  spirit  flies, 

Just  Prophet,  let  the  damned-one  dwell 
Full  in  the  sight  of  Paradise, 

Beholding  heaven,  and  feeling  hell ! 


Lalla  Rookh  had,  the  night  before,  been  vis- 
ited by  a  dream  which,  in  spite  of  the  impending 
fate  of  poor  Hafed,  made  her  heart  more  than 
usually  cheerful  during  the  morning,  and  gave  her 
cheeks  all  the  freshened  animation  of  a  flower  that 
the  Bid-musk  had  just  passed  over.'-*^*^  She  fancied 
that  she  was  sailing  on  that  Eastern  Ocean,  where 
the  sea-gypsies,  who  live  forever  on  the  water,^^'^  en- 
joy a  perpetual  summer  in  wandering  from  isle  to 
isle,  when  she  saw  a  small  gilded  bark  approaching 
her.  It  was  like  one  of  those  boats  which  the  IMal- 
divian  islanders  send  adrift,  at  the  mercy  of  winds 
and  waves,  loaded  with  perfumes,  flowers,  and  odor- 
iferous wood,  as  an  offering  to  the  Spirit  whom 
they  call  King  of  the  Sea.  At  first  this  little  bark 
appeared  to  be  empty,  but  on  coming  nearer 

She  had  proceeded  thus  far  in  relating  the  dream 
to  her  Ladies,  when  Feramorz  appeared  at  the 
door  of  the  pavilion.  In  his  presence,  of  course, 
everything  else  was  forgotten,  and  the  continuance 
of  the  story  was  instantly  requested  by  all.  Fresh 
wood  of  aloes  was  set  to  burn  in  the  cassolets ;  — ■ 
the   violet   sherbets -*^^  were  hastily  handed   round, 


182 


LALLA  ROOKH. 


and  after  a  short  prelude  on  his  kite,  in  the  pathetic 
measure  of  Nava,-*^®  which  is  always  used  to  express 
the  lamentations  of  absent  lovers,  the  Poet  thus 
continued :  — 


The  day  is  lowering  —  stilly  black 
Sleeps  the  gi'im  wave,  while  heaven's  rack, 
Dispersed  and  wild,  'twixt  earth  and  sky 
Hangs  like  a  shattered  canopy. 
There  's  not  a  cloud  in  that  bkie  plain 

But  tells  of  storm  to  come  or  2:>ast :  — 
Here,  flying  loosely  as  the  mane 

Of  a  young  war-horse  in  the  blast ;  — 
There,  rolled  in  masses  dark  and  swelling, 
As  proud  to  be  the  thunder's  dwelling  ! 
^Yliile  some,  already  burst  and  riven, 
Seem  melting  down  the  verge  of  heaven ; 
As  though  the  infant  storm  had  rent 

The  mighty  womb  that  gave  him  birth 
And,  having  swept  the  firmament. 

Was  now  in  fierce  career  for  earth. 
On  earth  't  was  yet  all  calm  around, 
A  pulseless  silence,  dread,  profound. 
More  awful  than  the  tempest's  sound. 
The  diver  steered  for  Ormus'  bowers. 
And  moored  his  skiff  till  calmer  hours ; 
The  sea-birds,  with  portentous  screech. 
Flew  fast  to  land ;  —  upon  the  beach 
The  pilot  oft  had  paused,  with  glance 


184  LALLA   ROOKH. 

Turned  upward  to  that  wild  expanse  ;  — 
And  all  was  boding,  drear,  and  dark 
As  her  own  soul,  when  Hinda's  bark 
Went  slowly  from  the  Persian  shore.  — 
No  music  timed  her  parting  oar,^'' 
Nor  friends  upon  the  lessening  strand 
Lingered,  to  wave  the  unseen  hand. 
Or  speak  the  farewell,  heard  no  more ;  — ■ 
But  lone,  vmheeded,  from  the  bay 
The  vessel  takes  its  mournful  way. 
Like  some  ill-destined  bark  that  steers 
In  silence  through  the  Gate  of  Tears."^'^^ 
And  where  was  stern  Al  Hassan  then  ? 
Could  not  that  saintly  scourge  of  men 
From  bloodshed  and  devotion  spare 
One  minute  for  a  farewell  there  ? 
No  —  close  within,  in  changeful  fits 
Of  cursing  and  of  prayer,  he  sits 
Li  savage  loneliness,  to  brood 
Upon  the  coming  night  of  blood,  — 

With  that  keen,  second-scent  of  death, 
By  which  the  vulture  snuffs  his  food 

In  the  still  warm  and  living  breath  !  ""'^ 
While  o'er  the  wave  his  weeping  daughter 
Is  wafted  from  these  scenes  of  slaughter,  - 
As  a  young  bird  of  Babylon,'-''^ 
Let  loose  to  tell  of  victory  won, 
Flies  home,  with  wing,  ah  !  not  unstained 
Bv  the  red  hands  that  held  her  chained. 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  185 

And  does  the  long-left  home  she  seeks 

Light  up  no  gladness  on  her  cheeks  ? 

The  flowers  she  nursed  —  the  well-known  groves, 

Where  oft  in  dreams  her  spirit  roves  — 

Once  more  to  see  her  dear  gazelles 

Come  bounding  with  their  silver  bells ; 

Her  birds'  new  plumage  to  behold, 

And  tlie  gay,  gleaming  fishes  count, 
She  left,  all  fiilleted  with  gold. 

Shooting  around  their  jasper  fount ;  ^* 
Her  little  garden  mosque  to  see. 

And  once  again,  at  evening  hour. 
To  tell  her  ruby  rosary  -"^ 

In  her  own  sweet  acacia  bower.  — 
Can  these  delights,  that  wait  her  now, 
Call  up  no  sunshine  on  her  brow  ? 
No,  —  silent,  from  her  train  apart,  — 
As  if  e'en  now  she  felt  at  heart 
The  chill  of  her  approaching  doom,  — 
She  sits,  all  lovely  in  her  gloom 
As  a  pale  Angel  of  the  Grave ; 
And  o'er  the  wide,  tempestuous  wave, 
Looks,  with  a  shudder,  to  those  towers, 
Where,  in  a  few  short  awful  hours, 
Blood,  blood,  in  streaming  tides  shall  run. 
Foul  incense  for  to-morrow's  sun  ! 
"  Where  art  thou,  glorious  stranger  !  thou, 
"  So  loved,  so  lost,  where  art  thou  now  ? 
"  Foe  —  Gheber  —  infidel  —  whate'er 
"  Th'  unhallowed  name  thou  'rt  doomed  to  bear, 


186  LALLA  ROOKH. 

"  Still  glorious  —  still  to  this  fond  heart 

"  Dear  as  its  blood,  whate'er  thou  art ! 

"  Yes  —  Alla,  dreadful  Alla  !  yes  — 

"  If  there  be  wrong,  be  crime  in  this, 

"  Let  the  black  waves  that  round  us  roll, 

"  Wlielm  me  this  instant,  ere  my  soul, 

"  Forgetting  faith  —  home  —  father  —  all  — 

"  Before  its  earthly  idol  fall, 

"  Nor  worship  e'en  Thyself  above  him  — 

"  For,  oh,  so  wildly  do  I  love  him, 

"  Thy  Paradise  itself  were  dim 

"  And  joyless,  if  not  shared  with  him  !  " 

Her  hands  were  clasped  —  her  eyes  upturned, 

Dropping  their  tears  like  moonlight  rain  ; 
And,  though  her  lip,  fond  raver  !  burned 

With  words  of  passion,  bold,  profane, 
Yet  was  there  light  around  her  brow, 

A  holiness  in  those  dark  eyes, 
Which  showed,  though  wand'ring  earthward  now, 

Her  spirit's  home  was  in  the  skies. 
Yes  —  for  a  spirit  pure  as  hers 
Is  always  pure,  e'en  while  it  errs ; 
As  sunshine,  broken  in  the  rill. 
Though  turned  astray,  is  sunshine  still ! 

So  wholly  had  her  mind  forgot 
All  thoughts  but  one,  she  heeded  not 
The  rising  storm  —  the  wave  that  cast 
A  moment's  midnight,  as  it  passed  — 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  187 

Nor  heard  the  frequent  shout,  the  tread 

Of  gathering  tumult  o'er  her  head  — 

Clashed  swords,  and  tongues  that  seemed  to  vie 

With  the  rude  riot  of  the  sky. 

But,  hark  !  —  that  war-whoop  on  the  deck  — 

That  crash,  as  if  each  engine  there, 
Mast,  sails,  and  all,  were  gone  to  wreck, 

Mid  yells  and  stampings  of  despair  ! 
Merciful  Heaven  !  what  can  it  be  ? 
'T  is  not  the  storm,  though  fearfully 
The  ship  has  shuddered  as  she  rode 
O'er  mountain-waves  —  "  Forgive  me,  God  ! 
"  Forgive  me  "  —  shrieked  the  maid,  and  knelt, 
Trembling  all  over  —  for  she  felt 
As  if  her  judgment-hour  was  near  ; 
While  crouching  round,  half  dead  with  fear, 
Her  handmaids  clung,  nor  breathed,  nor  stirred  — 
When,  hark  !  —  a  second  crash  —  a  third  — 
And  now,  as  if  a  bolt  of  thunder 
Had  riven  the  laboring  planks  asunder. 
The  deck  falls  in  —  what  horrors  then  ! 
Blood,  waves,  and  tackle,  swords  and  men 
Come  mixed  together  through  the  chasm,  — 
Some  wretches  in  their  dying  spasm 
Still  fighting  on  —  and  some  that  call 
"  For  God  and  Iran  !  "  as  they  fall ! 

Whose  was  the  hand  that  turned  away 
The  perils  of  th'  infuriate  fray, 
And  snatched  her  breathless  from  beneath 


188  LALLA   ROOKH. 

This  wilderment  of  wreck  and  death  ? 
She  knew  not  —  for  a  faintness  came 
Chill  o'er  her,  and  her  sinking  frame 
Amid  the  ruins  of  that  hour 
Lay,  like  a  pale  and  scorched  flower. 
Beneath  the  red  volcano's  shower. 
But,  oh  !  the  sights  and  sounds  of  dread 
That  shocked  her  ere  her  senses  fled  ! 
The  yawning  deck  —  the  crowd  that  strove 
Upon  the  tottering  planks  ahove  — 
The  sail,  whose  fragments,  shivering  o'er 
The  strugglers'  heads,  all  dashed  with  gore, 
Fluttered  like  bloody  flags  —  the  clash 
Of  sabres,  and  the  lightning's  flash 
Upon  their  blades,  high  tossed  about 
Like  meteor  brands  -"'^  as  if  throughout 

The  elements  one  fury  ran, 
One  general  rage,  that  left  a  doubt 

AVhich  was  the  fiercer,  Heaven  or  Man  ! 

Once  too  —  but  no  —  it  could  not  be  — 

'T  was  fancy  all  —  yet  once  she  thought, 
While  yet  her  fading  eyes  could  see. 

High  on  the  ruined  deck  she  cauoht 
A  glimpse  of  that  unearthly  form, 

That  glory  of  her  soul,  —  e'en  then, 
Amid  the  whirl  of  wreck  and  storm. 

Shining  above  his  fellow -men. 
As,  on  some  black  and  troublous  night. 
The  star  of  EoYrT,-'^'  whose  proud  light 


THE   FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  189 

Never  liath  beamed  on  those  who  rest 

In  the  White  Islands  of  the  West,^^^ 

Burns  through  the  storm  with  looks  of  flame 

That  iDut  heaven's  cloudier  eyes  to  shame. 

But  no  —  't  was  but  the  minute's  dream  — 

A  fantasy  —  and  ere  the  scream 

Had  half-way  passed  her  pallid  lips, 

A  deathlike  swoon,  a  chill  eclipse 

Of  soul  and  sense  its  darkness  spread 

Around  her,  and  she  sunk,  as  dead. 

How  calm,  how  beautiful  comes  on 
The  stilly  hour,  when  storms  are  gone ; 
When  warring  winds  have  died  away. 
And  clouds,  beneath  the  glancing  ray, 
Melt  off,  and  leave  the  land  and  sea 
Sleeping  in  bright  tranquillity,  — 
Fresh  as  if  Day  again  were  born, 
Again  upon  the  lap  of  Morn  !  — 
When  the  light  blossoms,  rudely  torn 
And  scattered  at  the  whirlwind's  will, 
Hang  floating  in  the  pure  air  still, 
Filling  it  all  with  precious  balm. 
In  gratitude  for  this  sweet  calm  ;  — 
And  every  drop  the  thunder-showers 
Have  left  upon  the  grass  and  flowers 
Sparkles,  as  't  were  that  lightning-gem  -'^ 
Whose  liquid  flame  is  born  of  them  ! 
When,  'stead  of  one  unchanging  breeze, 
There  blow  a  thousand  gentle  airs. 


190  LALLA   EOOKH. 

And  each  a  different  perfume  bears,  — 
As  if  the  loveliest  plants  and  trees 
Had  vassal  breezes  of  their  own 
To  watch  and  wait  on  them  alone, 
And  waft  no  other  breath  than  theirs : 
When  the  blue  waters  rise  and  fall, 
In  sleepy  sunshine  mantling  all ; 
And  e'en  that  swell  the  tempest  leaves 
Is  like  the  full  and  silent  heaves 
Of  lovers'  hearts,  when  newly  blest. 
Too  newly  to  be  quite  at  rest. 

Such  was  the  golden  hour  that  broke 

Upon  the  world,  when  Hinda  woke 

From  her  long  trance,  and  heard  around 

No  motion  but  the  water's  sound 

Eippling  against  the  vessel's  side. 

As  slow  it  mounted  o'er  the  tide.  — 

But  where  is  she  ?  —  her  eyes  are  dark. 

Are  wildered  still  —  is  this  the  bark, 

The  same,  that  from  Harmozia's  bay 

Bore  her  at  morn  —  whose  bloody  way 

The  sea-dog  tracked  ? —  No  —  strange  and  new 

Is  all  that  meets  her  wondering  view. 

Upon  a  galliot's  deck  she  lies, 

Beneath  no  rich  pavilion's  shade,  — 
No  plumes  to  fan  her  sleeping  eyes, 

Nor  jasmine  on  her  pillow  laid. 
But  the  rude  litter,  roughly  spread 
"With  war-cloaks,  is  her  homely  bed. 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  191 

And  shawl  and  sash,  on  javelins  hung, 
For  awning  o'er  her  head  are  flung. 
Shuddering  she  looked  around  —  there  lay 

A  group  of  warriors  in  the  sun. 
Resting  their  limbs,  as  for  that  day 

Their  ministry  of  death  were  done. 
Some  gazing  on  the  drowsy  sea. 
Lost  in  unconscious  reverie  ; 
And  some,  who  seemed  but  ill  to  brook 
That  sluggish  calm,  with  many  a  look 
To  the  slack  sail  impatient  cast. 
As  loose  it  flagged  around  the  mast. 

Blest  Alla  !  who  shall  save  her  now  ? 

There  's  not  in  all  that  warrior  band 
One  Arab  sword,  one  turbaned  brow 

From  her  own  Faithful  Moslem  land. 
Their  garb  —  the  leathern  belt  -^°  that  wraps 

Each  yellow  vest  -^^  —  that  rebel  hue  ■ — 
The  Tartar  fleece  upon  their  caps  —  ^^- 

Yes  —  yes  —  her  fears  are  all  too  true, 
And  Heaven  hath,  in  this  dreadful  hour. 
Abandoned  her  to  Hafed's  power ;  — 
Hafed,  the  Gheber  !  —  at  the  thought 

Her  very  heart's  blood  chills  within  ; 
He,  whom  her  soul  was  hoiu-ly  taught 

To  loathe,  as  some  foul  fiend  of  sin, 
Some  minister,  whom  Hell  had  sent 
To  spread  its  blast,  where'er  he  went, 
And  fling,  as  o'er  our  earth  he  trod. 


192  LALLA  EOOKFI. 

His  shadow  betwixt  man  and  God  ! 
And  she  is  now  his  captive,  —  thrown 
In  his  fierce  hands,  alive,  alone  ; 
His  the  infuriate  band  she  sees, 
All  infidels  —  all  enemies  ! 
What  was  the  daring  hope  that  then 
Crossed  her  like  lightning,  as  again, 
With  boldness  that  despair  had  lent. 

She  darted  through  that  armed  crowd 
A  look  so  searching,  so  intent. 

That  even  the  sternest  warrior  bowed 
Abashed,  when  he  her  glances  caught. 
As  if  he  guessed  whose  form  they  sought. 
But  no  —  she  sees  him  not  —  't  is  gone, 
The  vision  that  before  her  shone 
Through  all  the  maze  of  blood  and  storm, 
Is  fled  —  't  was  but  a  phantom  form  — 
One  of  those  passing,  rainbow  dreams. 
Half  light,  half  shade,  Avhich  Fancy's  beams 
Paint  on  the  fleeting  mists  that  roll 
In  trance  or  slumber  round  the  soul. 

But  now  the  bark,  with  livelier  bound. 

Scales  the  blue  wave  —  the  crew  's  in  motion, 

The  oars  are  out,  and  with  light  sound 
Break  the  bright  mirror  of  the  ocean. 

Scattering  its  brilliant  fragments  round. 

And  now  she  sees  —  with  horror  sees,  — 

Their  course  is  tow'rd  that  mountain-hold,  — 

Those  towers,  that  make  her  life-blood  freeze. 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  1^3 

Wliere  Mecca's  godless  enemies 

Lie  like  beleaguered  scorpions,  rolled 
In  their  last  deadly,  venomous  fold  ! 

Amid  th'  illumined  land  and  flood 

Sunless  that  mighty  mountain  stood  ; 

Save  where,  above  its  awful  head, 

There  shone  a  flaming  cloud,  blood-red, 

As  't  were  the  flag  of  destiny 

Hung  out  to  mark  where  death  would  be  ! 

Had  her  bewildered  mind  the  joower 
Of  thought  in  this  terrific  hour, 
She  well  might  marvel  where  or  how 
JNIan's  foot  could  scale  that  mountain's  brow. 
Since  ne'er  had  Arab  heard  or  known 
Of  path  but  through  the  glen  alone. 
But  every  thought  was  lost  in  fear, 
When,  as  their  bounding  bark  drew  near 
The  craggy  base,  she  felt  the  waves 
Hurry  them  toward  those  dismal  caves, 
That  from  the  Deep  in  windings  pass 
Beneath  that  Mount's  volcanic  mass ;. — 
And  loud  a  voice  on  deck  commands 
To  lower  the  mast  and  liglit  the  brands  !  — 
Instantly  o'er  the  dashing  tide 
Within  a  cavern's  mouth  they  glide. 
Gloomy  as  that  eternal  Porch 

Through  which  departed  spirits  go  :  — 
Not  e'en  the  flare  of  brand  and  torch 

Its  flickering  light  could  further  throw 
13 


194  LALLA   ROOKH. 

Than  the  thick  flood  that  boiled  below. 
Silent  they  floated  —  as  if  each 
Sat  breathless,  and  too  awed  for  speech 
In  that  dark  chasm,  where  even  sound 
Seemed  dark,  —  so  sullenly  around 
The  goblin  echoes  of  the  cave 
Muttered  it  o'er  the  long  black  wave, 
As  't  were  some  secret  of  the  grave ! 

But  soft  —  they  pause  —  the  current  turns 
Beneath  them  from  its  onward  track ;  — 
Some  mighty,  unseen  barrier  spurns 
The  vexed  tide,  all  foaming,  back, 
And  scarce  the  oars'  redoubled  force 
Can  stem  the  eddy's  whirling  force  ; 
When,  hark  !  —  some  desperate  foot  has  sprung 
Among  the  rocks  —  the  chain  is  flimg  — 
The  oars  are  up  —  the  grapjile  clings, 
And  the  tossed  bark  in  moorings  swings. 
Just  then  a  daybeam  through  the  shade 
Broke  tremulous  —  but,  ere  the  maid 
Can  see  from  whence  the  brightness  steals, 
Upon  her  brow  she  shuddering  feels 
A  viewless  hand,  that  promptly  ties 
A  bandage  round  her  burning  eyes ; 
While  the  rude  litter  where  she  lies, 
Uplifted  by  the  warrior  throng, 
O'er  the  steej:)  rocks  is  borne  along. 

Blest  power  of  sunshine  !  —  genial  Day, 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  195 

What  balm,  what  life  is  in  thy  ray  ! 
To  feel  thee  is  such  real  bliss, 
That  had  the  world  no  joy  but  this, 
To  sit  in  sunshine  calm  and  sweet,  — 
It  were  a  world  too  exquisite 
For  man  to  leave  it  for  the  gloom. 
The  deep,  cold  shadoAv  of  the  tomb. 
E'en  HiNDA,  though  she  saw  not  where 

Or  whither  wound  the  perilous  road, 
Yet  knew  by  that  awakening  air, 

T\niich  suddenly  around  her  glowed, 
That  they  had  risen  from  darkness  then. 
And  breathed  the  sunny  world  again  ! 

But  soon  this  balmy  freshness  fled  — 

For  now  the  steepy  labyrinth  led 

Through  damj)  and  gloom  — 'mid  crash  of  boughs, 

And  fall  of  loosened  crags  that  rouse 

The  leopard  from  his  hungry  sleeji. 

Who,  starting,  thinks  each  crag  a  prey. 
And  long  is  heard,  from  steep  to  steep, 

Chasing  them  down  their  thundering  way ! 
The  jackal's  cry  —  the  distant  moan 
Of  the  hyena,  fierce  and  lone  — 
And  that  eternal  saddening  sound 

Of  torrents  in  the  glen  beneath. 
As  't  were  the  ever-dark  Profound 

That  rolls  beneath  the  Bridge  of  Death  ! 
All,  all  is  fearful  —  e'en  to  see. 

To  gaze  on  those  terrific  things 


196  LALLA  ROOKH. 

She  now  but  blindly  hears,  would  be 

Relief  to  her  imaginings  ; 
Since  never  yet  was  shape  so  dread, 

But  Fancy,  thus  in  darkness  thrown. 
And  by  such  sounds  of  horror  fed, 

Could  frame  more  dreadful  of  her  own. 

But  does  she  dream  ?  has  Fear  again 
Perplexed  the  workings  of  her  brain, 
Or  did  a  voice,  all  music,  then 
Come  from  the  gloom,  low  whispering  near,  - 
"  Tremble  not,  love,  thy  Gheber  's  here  ?  " 
She  does  not  dream  —  all  sense,  all  ear. 
She  drinks  the  words,  "  Thy  Gheber  's  here." 
'T  was  his  own  voice  —  she  could  not  err  — 

Throuohout  the  breathing  world's  extent 
There  was  but  one  such  voice  for  her, 

So  kind,  so  soft,  so  eloquent ! 
Oh,  sooner  shall  the  rose  of  IMay 

Mistake  her  own  sweet  nightingale, 
And  to  some  meaner  minstrel's  lay 

Open  her  bosom's  glowing  veil,-^'^ 
Than  Love  shall  ever  doubt  a  tone, 
A  breath  of  the  beloved  one ! 

Though  blest,  'mid  all  her  ills,  to  think 
She  has  that  one  beloved  near, 

Wliose  smile,  though  met  on  ruin's  brink, 
Hath  power  to  make  e'en  ruin  dear,  — 

Yet  soon  this  gleam  of  raptm-e,  crost 


THE   FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  107 

By  fears  for  him,  is  chilled  and  lost. 
How  shall  the  ruthless  H.\jrED  brook 
That  one  of  Gheber  blood  should  look, 
With  aught  but  curses  in  his  eye, 
On  her  —  a  maid  of  Araby  — 
A  Moslem  maid  —  the  child  of  him, 

Whose  bloody  banner's  dire  success 
Hath  left  their  altars  cold  and  dim, 

And  their  fair  land  a  wilderness  ! 
And,  worse  than  all,  that  night  of  blood 

Which  comes  so  fast  —  Oh  !  who  shall  stay 
The  sword,  that  once  hath  tasted  food 

Of  Persian  hearts,  or  turn  its  way  ? 
What  arm  shall  then  the  victim  cover, 
Or  from  her  father  shield  her  lover  ? 

"  Save  him,  my  God  !  "  she  inly  cries  — 
"  Save  him  this  night  —  and  if  thine  eyes 

"  Have  ever  welcomed  with  delight 
"  The  sinner's  tears,  the  sacrifice 

"  Of  sinner's  hearts  —  guard  him  this  night, 
"  And  here,  before  thy  throne,  I  swear 
"  From  my  heart's  inmost  core  to  tear 

"  Love,  hope,  remembrance,  though  they  be 
"  Linked  with  each  quivering  life-string  there, 

"  And  give  it  bleeding  all  to  Thee  ! 
"  Let  him  but  live,  —  the  burning  tear, 
"  The  sighs,  so  sinful,  yet  so  dear, 
"  "Wliich  have  been  all  too  much  his  own, 
''  Shall  from  this  hour  be  Heaven's  alone. 


198  LALLA  ROOKH. 

"  Youth  passed  in  penitence,  and  age 

"  In  long  and  painful  pilgrimage, 

"  Shall  leave  no  traces  of  the  flame 

"  That  wastes  me  now  —  nor  shall  his  name 

"  E'er  bless  my  lips,  but  when  I  pray 

"  For  his  dear  spirit,  that  away 

"  Casting  from  its  angelic  ray 

"  Th'  eclipse  of  earth,  he,  too,  may  shine 

"  Redeemed,  all  glorious  and  all  Thine  ! 

"  Think  —  think  what  victory  to  win 

"  One  radiant  sovU  like  his  from  sin,  — 

"  One  wandering  star  of  virtue  back 

"  To  its  own  native,  heavenward  track ! 

"  Let  him  but  live,  and  both  are  Thine, 

"  Together  thine  —  for,  blest  or  crost, 
"  Living  or  dead,  his  doom  is  mine, 

"  And,  if  he  perish,  both  are  lost !  " 


The  next  evening  Lalla  Rookh  was  entreated 
by  her  Ladies  to  continue  the  relation  of  lier  won- 
derful dream  ;  but  the  fearful  interest  that  hung 
round  the  fate  of  Hinda  and  her  lover  had  com- 
pletely removed  every  trace  of  it  from  her  mind  ; 
—  much  to  the  disappointment  of  a  fair  seer  or  two 
in  her  train,  who  prided  themselves  on  their  skill  in 
interpreting  visions,  and  who  had  already  remarked, 
as  an  unlucky  omen,  that  the  Princess,  on  the  very 
morning  after  the  dream,  had  worn  a  silk  dyed  with 
the  blossoms  of  the  sorrowful  tree,  Nilica.^^* 


Fadladeen,  whose  indignation  had  more  than 
once  broken  out  during  the  recital  of  some  parts  of 
this  heterodox  poem,  seemed  at  lengtli  to  have  made 
up  his  mind  to  the  infliction ;  and  took  his  seat  this 
evening  with  all  the  patience  of  a  martyr,  while  the 
Poet  resumed  his  profane  and  seditious  story  as  fol- 
lows :  — 


To  tearless  eyes  and  hearts  at  ease 
The  leafy  shores  and  snn-bright  seas, 
That  lay  beneath  that  mountain's  height, 
Had  been  a  fair  enchanting  sight. 
'T  was  one  of  those  ambrosial  eves 
A  day  of  storm  so  often  leaves 
At  its  calm  setting  —  when  the  West " 
Opens  her  golden  bowers  of  rest, 
And  a  moist  radiance  from  the  skies 
Shoots  trembling  down,  as  from  the  eyes 
Of  some  meek  penitent,  whose  last 
Bright  hours  atone  for  darlv  ones  past, 
And  whose  sweet  tears,  o'er  wrong  forgiven, 
Shine,  as  they  fall,  with  light  from  Heaven  ! 


'T  was  stillness  all  —  the  winds  that  late 

Had  rushed  through  Kejkman's  almond  groves. 
And  shaken  from  her  bowers  of  date 

That  cooling  feast  the  traveller  loves,"^^ 
Now,  lulled  to  languor,  scarcely  curl 

The  Green  Sea  wave,  whose  Avaters  gleam 
Limpid,  as  if  her  mines  of  pearl 

Were  melted  all  to  form  the  stream : 
And  her  fair  islets,  small  and  bright, 


THE  FIKE-WORSHIPPERS.  201 

"With  their  green  shores  reflected  there, 
Look  like  those  Peri  isles  of  light, 
That  hang  by  siDell-work  in  the  air. 

But  vainly  did  those  glories  burst 
On  Hinda's  dazzled  eyes,  when  first 
The  bandage  from  her  brow  was  taken, 
And,  pale  and  awed  as  those  who  waken 
In  their  dark  tombs  —  when,  scowling  near, 
The  Searchers  of  the  Grave  ^*®  appear,  — 
She  shuddering  turned  to  read  her  fate 

In  the  fierce  eyes  that  flashed  aroimd ; 
And  saw  those  towers  all  desolate, 

That  o'er  her  head  terrific  frowned. 
As  if  defying  e'en  the  smile 
Of  that  soft  heaven  to  gild  their  pile. 
In  vain  with  mingled  hope  and  fear, 
She  looks  for  him  whose  voice  so  dear 
Had  come  like  music  to  her  ear  — 
Strange,  mocking  dream  !  again  't  is  fled. 
And  oh,  the  shoots,  the  pangs  of  dread 
That  through  her  inmost  bosom  run, 

When  voices  from  without  proclaim 
"  Hafed,  the  Chief"  — and,  one  by  one, 

The  warriors  shout  that  fearful  name  ! 
He  comes  —  the  rock  resounds  his  tread  — 
How  shall  she  dare  to  lift  her  head, 
Or  meet  those  eyes  whose  scorching  glare 
Not  Yemen's  boldest  sons  can  bear? 
In  whose  red  beam,  the  Moslem  tells, 


202  LALLA   ROOKH. 

Such  rank  and  deadly  lustre  dwells. 

As  in  those  hellish  fires  that  light 

The  mandrake's  charnel  leaves  at  night.^^'' 

How  shall  she  bear  that  voice's  tone, 

At  whose  loud  battle-cry  alone 

Whole  squadrons  oft  in  panic  ran, 

Scattered  like  some  vast  caravan, 

When,  stretched  at  evening  round  the  well. 

They  hear  the  thirsting  tiger's  yell ! 

Breathless  she  stands,  with  eyes  cast  down, 

Shrinking  beneath  the  fiery  frown, 

Which,  fancy  tells  her,  from  that  brow 

Is  flashing  o'er  her  fiercely  now  : 

And  shuddering  as  she  hears  the  tread 

Of  his  retiring  warrior  band. 
Never  was  pause  so  full  of  dread ; 

Till  Hafed  with  a  trembling  hand 
Took  hers,  and,  leaning  o'er  her,  said, 
"  HiNDA  ;  "  —  that  word  was  all  he  spoke. 
And  't  was  enough  —  the  shriek  that  broke 

From  her  full  bosom,  told  the  I'est. 
Panting  with  terror,  joy,  surprise, 
The  maid  but  lifts  her  wondering  eyes. 

To  hide  them  on  her  Gheber's  breast ! 
'T  is  he,  't  is  he  —  the  man  of  blood, 
The  fellest  of  the  Fire-fiend's  brood, 
Hafed,  the  demon  of  the  fight, 
Whose  voice  unnerves,  whose  glances  blight. 
Is  her  own  loved  Gheber,  mild 
And  glorious  as  when  fiist  he  smiled 


THE    FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  203 

In  her  lone  tower,  and  left  such  beams 
Of  his  pure  eye  to  light  her  dreams, 
That  she  believed  her  bower  had  given 
Rest  to  some  wanderer  from  heaven  ! 

Moments  there  are,  and  this  was  one, 
Snatched  like  a  minute's  gleam  of  sun 
Amid  the  black  Simoom's  eclipse  — 

Or,  like  those  verdant  spots  that  bloom 
Around  the  crater's  burning  lips. 

Sweetening  the  very  edge  of  doom  ! 
The  past  —  the  future  —  all  that  Fate 
Can  bring  of  dark  or  desperate 
Around  such  hours,  but  makes  them  cast 
Intenser  radiance  while  they  last ! 

E'en  he,  this  youth  —  though  dimmed  and  gone 

Each  star  of  Hoije  that  cheered  him  on  — 

His  glories  lost  —  his  cause  betrayed  — 

Iran,  his  dear-loved  country,  made 

A  land  of  carcasses  and  slaves. 

One  dreary  waste  of  chains  and  graves  !  — 

Himself  but  lingering,  dead  at  heart. 

To  see  the  last,  long  struggling  breath 
Of  Liberty's  great  soul  depart. 

Then  lay  him  down  and  share  her  death  — 
E'en  he,  so  sunk  in  wretchedness. 

With  doom  still  darker  gathering  o'er  him, 
Yet,  in  this  moment's  pure  caress. 

In  the  mild  eyes  that  shone  before  him, 


204  LALLA  EOOKH. 

Beaming  that  blest  assurance,  worth 
All  other  transports  known  on  earth, 
That  he  was  loved  —  well,  warmly  loved  — 
Oh  !  in  this  precious  hour  he  proved 
How  deep,  how  thorough-felt  the  glow 
Of  rapture,  kindling  out  of  woe  ;  — 
How  exquisite  one  single  drop 
Of  bliss,  thus  sparkling  to  the  top 
Of  misery's  cup  —  how  keenly  quaffed. 
Though  death  must  follow  on  the  draught ! 

She,  too,  while  gazing  on  those  eyes 

That  sink  into  her  soul  so  deep, 
Forgets  all  fears,  all  miseries. 

Or  feels  them  like  the  wretch  in  sleep, 
Whom  fancy  cheats  into  a  smile, 
Who  dreams  of  joy,  and  sobs  the  while  ! 
The  mighty  Ruins  where  they  stood, 

Upon  the  mount's  high,  rocky  verge, 
Lay  open  towards  the  ocean  flood, 

AYliere  lightly  o'er  the  illumined  surge 
Many  a  fair  bark  that,  all  the  day. 
Had  lurked  in  sheltering  creek  or  bay 
Now  bounded  on,  and  gave  their  sails, 
Yet  dripping,  to  the  evening  gales  ; 
Like  eagles,  when  the  storm  is  done. 
Spreading  their  wet  wings  in  the  sun. 
The  beauteous  clouds,  though  daylight's  Star 
Had  sunk  behinci  the  hills  of  Lar, 
Were  still  with  lingering  glories  bright,  — 


THE   FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  20;^ 

As  if,  to  grace  the  gorgeous  West, 

The  Spirit  of  departing  Light 
That  eve  had  left  his  sunny  vest 

Behind  him,  ere  he  winged  his  flight,     • 
Never  was  scene  so  formed  for  love  ! 
Beneath  them  waves  of  crystal  move 
In  silent  swell  —  heaven  gloAvs  above, 
And  their  pure  hearts,  to  transport  given, 
Swell  like  the  wave,  and  glow  like  heaven. 

But  ah  !  too  soon  that  dream  is  jDast  — 

Again,  again  her  fear  returns ;  — 
Night,  dreadful  night,  is  gathering  fast, 

More  faintly  the  horizon  burns. 
And  every  rosy  tint  that  lay 
On  the  smooth  sea  hath  died  away. 
Hastily  to  the  darkening  skies 
A  glance  she  casts  —  then  wildly  cries  :  — 
"  At  night,  he  said  —  and,  look,  't  is  near  — 

"  Fly,  fly  —  if  yet  thou  lov'st  me,  fly  — 
"  Soon  will  his  murderous  band  be  here, 

"  And  I  shall  see  thee  bleed  and  die. 
"  Hush !  heard'st  thou  not  the  tramp  of  men 
"  Soimding  from  yonder  fearful  glen  ?  — 
"  Perhaps  e'en  now  they  climb  the  wood  — 

"  Fly,  fly  —  though  still  the  West  is  bright, 
"  He  '11  come  —  oh  !  yes  —  he  wants  thy  blood  — 

"  I  know  him  —  he  '11  not  wait  for  night !  " 

In  terrors  e'en  to  agony 


206  LALLA    ROOKH. 

She  clings  around  the  wondering  Chief:  — 
"  Alas,  poor  wildered  maid  !  to  me 

"  Thou  ow'st  this  raving  trance  of  grief 
"  Lost  as  I  am,  naught  ever  grew 
"  Beneath  my  shade  but  perished  too  — 
"  My  doom  is  like  the  Dead  Sea  air, 
"  And  nothing  lives  that  enters  there  ! 
"  Why  were  our  barks  together  driven 
"  Beneath  this  morning's  furious  heaven  ? 
"  \Yhy,  when  I  saw  the  prize  that  chance 

"  Had  thrown  into  my  desperate  arms,  — 
"  When,  casting  but  a  single  glance 

"  Upon  thy  pale  and  prostrate  charms, 
"  I  vowed  (though  watching  viewless  o'er 

"  Thy  safety  through  that  hour's  alarms) 
"  To  meet  th'  unmanning  sight  no  more  — 
"  Why  have  I  broke  that  heart-wrung  vow  ? 
"  Wliy  weakly,  madly  met  thee  now  ?  — 
"  Start  not  —  that  noise  is  but  the  shock 

"  Of  torrents  through  yon  valley  hurled  — 
"  Dread  nothing  here  —  upon  this  rock 

"  We  stand  above  the  jarring  world, 
"  Alike  beyond  its  hope  —  its  dread  — 
"  In  gloomy  safety,  like  the  Dead  ! 
"  Or,  could  e'en  earth  and  hell  unite 
"  In  league  to  storm  this  Sacred  Height, 
"  Fear  nothing  thou  —  myself,  to-night, 
"  And  each  o'erlooking  star  that  dwells 
"  Near  God  will  be  thy  sentinels  ;  — 
"  And,  ere  to-morrow's  dawn  shall  glow, 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  2 

"  Back  to  thy  sire  " 

"  To-morrow  !  —  no  " 
The  maiden  screamed  —  "  thou  'It  never  see 
"  To-morrow's  sun  —  death,  death  will  be 
"  The  night-cry  through  each  reeking  tower, 
"  Unless  we  fly,  ay,  fly  this  hour ! 
"  Thou  art  betrayed  —  some  wretch  who  knew 
"  That  dreadful  glen's  mysterious  clew  — 
"  Nay,  doubt  not  —  by  yon  stars,  't  is  true  — 
"  Hath  sold  thee  to  my  vengeful  sire  ; 
"  This  morning,  with  that  smile  so  dire 
"  He  wears  in  joy,  he  told  me  all, 
"  And  stamped  in  triumph  through  our  hall, 
"  As  though  thy  heart  already  beat 
"  Its  last  life-throb  beneath  his  feet ! 
"  Good  Heaven,  how  little  dreamed  I  then 

"  His  victim  was  my  own  loved  youth  !  — 
"  Fly  —  send  —  let  some  one  watch  the  glen  — 

"  By  all  my  hopes  of  heaven  't  is  truth  !  " 

Oh  !  colder  than  the  wind  that  freezes 

Founts,  that  but  now  in  simshine  played, 
Is  that  congealing  pang  which  seizes 

The  trusting  bosom,  when  betrayed. 
He  felt  it  —  deeply  felt  —  and  stood, 
As  if  the  tale  had  frozen  his  blood, 

So  mazed  and  motionless  was  he  ;  — 
Like  one  whom  sudden  spells  enchant, 
Or  some  mute,  marble  habitant 

Of  the  still  Halls  of  Ishmonie  !  ^ss 


208  LALLA  ROOKH. 

But  soon  the  jDainful  chill  was  o'er, 
And  his  great  soul,  herself  once  more, 
Looked  from  his  brow  in  all  the  rays 
Of  her  best,  happiest,  grandest  days. 
Never  in  moment  most  elate. 

Did  that  high  spirit  loftier  rise  ;  — 
Wliile  bright,  serene,  determinate, 

His  looks  are  lifted  to  the  skies. 
As  if  the  signal  lights  of  Fate 

Were  shining  in  those  awful  eyes ! 
'T  is  come  —  his  hour  of  martyrdom 
In  Iran's  sacred  cause  is  come  ; 
And,  though  his  life  hath  passed  away 
Like  lightning  on  a  stormy  day, 
Yet  shall  his  death-hour  leave  a  track 

Of  glory,  permanent  and  bright. 
To  which  the  brave  of  after-times, 
The  suffering  brave  shall  long  look  back 

With  proud  regret,  —  and  by  its  light 

Watch  through  the  hours  of  slavery's  night 
For  vengeance  on  th'  oppressor's  crimes. 
This  rock,  his  monument  aloft. 

Shall  sjieak  the  tale  to  many  an  age  ; 
And  hither  bards  and  heroes  oft 

Shall  come  in  secret  pilgrimage, 
And  bring  their  warrior  sons,  and  tell 
The  Avondering  boys  where  Hafed  fell ; 
And  swear  them  on  those  lone  remains 
Of  their  lost  country's  ancient  fanes. 
Never  —  while  breath  of  life  shall  live 


THE  FIKE-WORSHIPPEKS.  209 

Within  them  —  never  to  forgive 
Th'  accursed  race,  whose  ruthless  chain 
Hath  left  on  Iran's  neck  a  stain 
Blood,  blood  alone  can  cleanse  again  ! 

Such  are  the  swelling  thoughts  that  now 
Enthrone  themselves  on  Hafed's  brow  ; 
And  ne'er  did  saint  of  IssA-^^  gaze 

On  the  red  wreath,  for  martyrs  twined, 
More  proudly  than  the  youth  surveys 

That  pile,  which  through  the  gloom  behind, 
Half  lighted  by  the  altar's  fire, 
Glimmers  —  his  destined  funeral  pyre  ! 
Heaped  by  his  own,  his  comrades'  hands. 

Of  every  wood  of  odorous  breath, 
There,  by  the  Fire-God's  shrine  it  stands. 

Ready  to  fold  in  radiant  death 
The  few  still  left  of  those  who  swore 
To  perish  there,  when  hope  was  o'er  — 
The  few,  to  whom  that  couch  of  flame. 
Which  rescues  them  from  bonds  and  shame, 
Is  sweet  and  welcome  as  the  bed 
For  their  own  infant  Prophet  spread, 
Wlien  pitying  Heaven  to  roses  turned 
The  death-flames  that  beneath  him  burned !  ^^ 

AVith  watchfulness  the  maid  attends 
His  rapid  glance,  where'er  it  bends  — 
Why  shoot  his  eyes  such  awful  beams  ? 
"WTiat  plans  he  now  ?  what  thinks  or  dreams  ? 
14 


210  LALLA  ROOKEI. 

Alas  !  why  stands  he  musing  here, 
Wlien  every  moment  teems  with  fear  ? 
"  Hafed,  my  own  beloved  Lord," 
She  kneeling  cries  —  "  first,  last  adored  ! 
"  If  in  that  sonl  thon  'st  ever  felt 

"  Half  what  thy  lips  impassioned  swore, 
"  Here  on  my  knees  that  never  knelt 

"  To  any  but  their  God  before, 
"  I  pray  thee,  as  thou  lov'st  me,  fly  — 
"  Now,  now  —  ere  yet  their  blades  are  nigh. 
"  Oh,  haste  —  the  bark  that  bore  me  hither 

"  Can  waft  us  o'er  yon  darkening  sea 
"  East  —  west  —  alas,  I  care  not  whither, 

"  So  thou  art  safe,  and  I  with  thee ! 
"  Go  where  we  will,  this  hand  in  thine, 

"  Those  eyes  before  me  smiling  thus, 
"  Through  good  and  ill,  through  storm  and  shine, 

"  The  world's  a  world  of  love  for  us  ! 
"  On  some  calm,  blesse'd  shore  we  '11  dwell, 
"  Where  't  is  no  crime  to  love  too  well ;  — 
"  Wliere  thus  to  worship  tenderly 
"  An  erring  child  of  light  like  thee 
"  Will  not  be  sin  —  or,  if  it  be, 
"  Wliere  we  may  weep  our  faults  away, 
"  Together  kneeling,  night  and  day  ; 
"  Thou,  for  my  sake,  at  Alt.a's  shrine, 
"  And  I  —  at  any  God's,  for  thine  !  " 

Wildly  these  passionate  words  she  spoke  — 
Then  hung  her  head,  and  wept  for  shame ; 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  211 

Sobbing,  as  if  a  heart-string  broke 

With  every  deep-heaved  sob  that  came. 
While  he,  young,  warm  —  oh  !  wonder  not 
If,  for  a  moment,  pride  and  fame. 
His  oath  —  his  cause  —  that  shrine  of  flame, 
And  Iran's  self  are  all  forgot 
For  her  whom  at  his  feet  he  sees 
Kneeling  in  speechless  agonies. 
No,  blame  him  not,  if  Hope  awhile 
Dawned  in  his  soul,  and  threw  her  smile 
O'er  hours  to  come  —  o'er  days  and  nights, 
Winged  with  those  precious,  pure  delights 
Which  she,  who  bends  all  beauteous  there, 
Was  born  to  kindle  and  to  share. 
A  tear  or  two,  which,  as  he  bowed 

To  raise  the  suppliant,  trembling  stole, 
First  warned  him  of  this  dangerous  cloud 

Of  softness  passing  o'er  his  soul. 
Starting,  he  brushed  the  drops  away. 
Unworthy  o'er  that  cheek  to  stray  ;  — 
Like  one  who,  on  the  morn  of  fight, 
Shakes  from  his  sword  the  dews  of  night, 
That  had  but  dimmed,  not  stained  its  light. 
Yet,  though  subdued  th'  unnerving  thrill, 
Its  warmth,  its  weakness  lingered  still 
So  touching  in  each  look  and  tone, 
That  the  fond,  fearing,  hoping  maid 
Half  counted  on  the  flight  she  prayed. 
Half  thought  the  hero's  soul  was  grown 
As  soft,  as  yielding  as  her  own. 


A 


212  LALLA   ROOKH. 

And  smiled  and  blessed  him,  while  he  said,  ■ 
"  Yes  —  if  there  be  some  happier  sphere, 
"  Where  fadeless  truth  like  onrs  is  dear,  — 
"  If  there  be  any  land  of  rest 

"  For  those  who  love  and  ne'er  forget, 
"  Oh !  comfort  thee  —  for  safe  and  blest 

"  We  '11  meet  in  that  calm  region  yet !  " 


Scarce  had  she  time  to  ask  her  heart 
If  good  or  ill  these  words  impart, 
When  the  roused  youth  impatient  flew 
To  the  tower-wall,  where,  high  in  view, 
A  ponderous  sea-horn'-^^  hung,  and  blew 
A  signal,  deep  and  dread  as  those 
The  storm-fiend  at  his  rising  blows. 
Full  well  his  Chieftains,  sworn  and  true 
Through  life  and  death,  that  signal  knew ; 
For  't  was  th'  appointed  warning-blast, 
Th'  alarm,  to  tell  when  hope  was  past, 
And  the  tremendous  death-die  cast ! 
And  there,  upon  the  mouldering  tower, 
Hath  hung  this  sea-horn  many  an  hour, 
Ready  to  sound  o'er  land  and  sea 
That  dirge-note  of  the  brave  and  free. 
They  came  —  his  Chieftains  at  the  call 
Came  slowly  round,  and  with  them  all  — 
Alas,  how  few !  —  the  worn  remains 
Of  those  who  late  o'er  Kerman's  plains 
Went  gayly  prancing  to  the  clash 
Of  Moorish  zel  and  tvmbalon, 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  213 

Catching  new  hope  from  every  flash 

Of  their  long  lances  in  the  sun, 
And,  as  their  coursers  charged  the  wind, 
And  the  white  ox-tails  streamed  behind,^^ 
Looking  as  if  the  steeds  they  rode 
Were  winged,  and  every  Chief  a  God  ! 
How  fallen,  how  altered  now  !  how  wan 
Each  scarred  and  faded  visage  shone. 
As  round  the  burning  shrine  they  came  !  — 

How  deadly  was  the  glare  it  cast, 
As  mute  they  paused  before  the  flame 

To  light  their  torches  as  they  passed ! 
'  T  was  silence  all  —  the  youth  hath  planned 
The  duties  of  his  soldier-band  ; 
And  each  determined  brow  declares 
His  faithful  Chieftains  well  know  theirs. 

But  minutes  sj^eed  —  night  gems  the  skies  — 
And  oh,  how  soon,  ye  blessed  eyes. 
That  look  from  heaven,  ye  may  behold 
Sights  that  will  turn  your  star-flres  cold  ! 
Breathless  with  awe,  impatience,  hope. 
The  maiden  sees  the  veteran  group 
Her  litter  silently  prepare, 

And  lay  it  at  her  trembling  feet ;  — 
And  now  the  youth,  Avith  gentle  care, 

Hath  placed  her  in  the  sheltered  seat, 
And  pressed  her  hand  —  that  lingering  press 

Of  hands,  that  for  the  last  time  sever ; 
Of  hearts,  whose  pulse  of  happiness. 


214  LALLA  ROOKH. 

When  that  hold  breaks,  is  dead  forever. 
And  yet  to  her  this  sad  caress 

Gives  hope  —  so  fondly  hope  can  err ! 
'  T  was  joy,  she  thought,  joy's  mute  excess  — 

Their  happy  flight's  dear  harbinger  ; 
'T  was  warmth  —  assurance  —  tenderness  — 

'  T  was  anything  but  leaving  her. 

"  Haste,   haste ! "     she   cried,   "  the   clouds   grow 

dark, 
"  But  still,  ei-e  night,  we'  11  reach  the  bark  ; 
"  And  by  to-morrow's  dawn  —  oh,  bliss  ! 

"  With  thee  upon  the  sun-bright  deep, 
"  Far  off,  I  '11  but  remember  this, 

"  As  some  dark  vanished  dream  of  sleep  ; 
"  And  thou  " but  ah  !  —  he  answers  not  — 

Good  Heaven  !  —  and  does  she  go  alone  ? 
She  now  has  reached  that  dismal  spot, 

Where,  some  hours  since,  his  voice's  tone 
Had  come  to  soothe  her  fears  and  ills, 
Sweet  as  the  angel  Israfil's,^^ 
When  every  leaf  on  Eden's  tree 
Is  trembling  to  his  minstrelsy  — 
Yet  now  —  oh,  now,  he  is  not  nigh. 

"  Hafed  !  my  Hafed  !  —  if  it  be 
"  Thy  will,  thy  doom  this  night  to  die, 

"  Let  me  but  stay  to  die  with  thee, 
"  And  I  will  bless  thy  loved  name, 
"  Till  the  last  life-breath  leave  this  frame. 
"  Oh !  let  our  lips,  our  cheeks  be  laid 


THE  FIRB-WORSHIPPERS.  215 

"  But  near  each  other  wliile  they  fade  ; 
"  Let  us  but  mix  our  parting  breaths, 
"  And  I  can  die  ten  thousand  deaths  ! 
"  You  too,  who  hurry  me  away 
"  So  cruelly,  one  moment  stay  — 

''  Oh  !  stay  —  one  moment  is  not  much  — 
"  He  yet  may  come  —  for  him  I  pray  — 
"  Hafkd  !  dear  Hafed  !  "  —  all  the  way 

In  wild  lamentings,  that  would  touch 
A  heart  of  stone,  she  shrieked  his  name 
To  the  dark  woods  —  no  Hafed  came  :  — 
No  —  hapless  pair  —  you  've  looked  your  last :  — 

Your  hearts  should  both  have  broken  then : 
The  dream  is  o'er  —  your  doom  is  cast  — 

You  '11  never  meet  on  earth  again  ! 

Alas  for  him,  who  hears  her  cries ! 

Still  half-way  down  the  steep  he  stands, 
Watching  with  fixed  and  feverish  eyes 

The  glinuner  of  those  burning  brands. 
That  down  the  rocks,  with  mournful  ray, 
Light  all  he  loves  on  earth  away  ! 
Hopeless  as  they  who,  far  at  sea. 

By  the  cold  moon  have  just  consigned 
The  corse  of  one,  loved  tenderly, 

To  the  bleak  flood  they  leave  behind ; 
And  on  the  deck  still  lingering  stay. 
And  long  look  back,  with  sad  delay, 
To  watch  the  moonlight  on  the  wave, 
That  ripples  o'er  that  cheerless  grave. 


216  LALLA  ROOKH. 

But  see  —  he  starts  —  what  heard  he  then  ? 

That  dreadful  shout !  —  across  the  glen 

From  the  land-side  it  comes,  and  loud 

Rings  through  the  chasm  ;  as  if  the  crowd 

Of  fearful  things  that  haunt  that  dell. 

Its  Gholes  and  Dives  and  shapes  of  hell, 

Had  all  in  one  dread  howl  broke  out, 

So  loud,  so  terrible  that  shout ! 

"  They  come  —  the  Moslems  come  !  "  —  he  cries. 

His  i^roud  soul  mounting  to  his  eyes,  — 

"Now,  Spirits  of  the  Brave,  who  roam 

"  Enfranchised  through  yon  starry  dome, 

"  Rejoice  —  for  souls  of  kindred  fire 

"  Are  on  the  wing  to  join  your  choir  !  " 

He  said  —  and,  light  as  bridegrooms  bound 

To  their  young  loves,  reclimbed  the  steep 
And  gained  the  Shrine  —  his  Chiefs  stood  round  — 

Their  swords,  as  with  instinctive  leap. 
Together  at  that  cry  accurst. 
Had  from  their  sheaths,  like  sunbeams,  burst. 
And  hark  !  —  again  —  again  it  rings  ; 
Near  and  more  near  its  echoings 
Peal  through  the  chasm  —  oh  !  who  that  then 
Had  seen  those  listening  warrior-men. 
With  their  swords  grasped,  their  eyes  of  flame 
Turned  on  their  Chief —  could  doubt  the  shame, 
Th '  indignant  shame  with  which  they  thrill 
To  hear  those  shouts  and  yet  stand  still  ? 

He  read  their  thoughts  —  they  were  his  own  — 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  217 

"  "What !  while  our  arms  can  wield  these  blades, 
"  Shall  we  die  tamely  ?  die  alone  ? 
"  Without  one  victim  to  our  shades, 
'•  One  Moslem  heart,  where,  buried  deep, 
"  The  sabre  from  its  toil  may  sleep  ? 
'■  No  —  God  of  Iran's  burning  skies  ! 
"  Thou  scorn 'st  th'  inglorious  sacrifice. 
"  No  —  though  of  all  earth's  hope  bereft, 
"  Life,  swords,  and  vengeance  still  are  left. 
"  We  '11  make  yon  valley's  reeking  caves 

"  Live  in  the  awe-struck  minds  of  men, 
"  Till  tyrants  shudder,  when  their  slaves 

"  Tell  of  the  Gheber's  bloody  glen. 
"  Follow,  brave  hearts  !  —  this  pile  remains 
"  Our  refuge  still  from  life  and  chains  ; 
"•  But  his  the  best,  the  holiest  bed, 
"  Who  sinks  entombed  in  Moslem  dead  !  " 

Down  the  precipitous  rocks  they  sprung, 
While  vigor,  more  than  human,  strung 
Each  arm  and  heart.     Th'  exulting  foe 
Still  through  the  dark  defiles  below, 
Tracked  by  his  torches'  lurid  fire, 

Wound  slow,  as  through  Golconda's  vale  ^'^ 
The  mighty  serpent,  in  his  ire. 

Glides  on  with  glittering,  deadly  trail. 
No  torch  the  Ghebers  need  —  so  well 
They  know  each  mystery  of  the  dell. 
So  oft  have,  in  their  wanderings. 
Crossed  the  wild  race  that  round  them  dwell, 


218  LALLA   ROOKH. 

The  very  tigers  from  their  delves 
Look  out,  and  let  them  pass,  as  things 
Untamed  and  fearless  like  themselves  ! 

There  was  a  deep  ravine,  that  lay 

Yet  darkling  in  the  Moslem's  way  ; 

Fit  spot  to  make  invaders  rue 

The  many  fallen  before  the  few. 

The  torrents  from  that  morning's  sky 

Had  filled  the  narrow  chasm  breast-high, 

And  on  each  side,  aloft  and  wild. 

Huge  cliffs  and  toppling  crags  were  piled,  — 

The  guards  with  which  young  Freedom  lines 

The  pathways  to  her  mountain-shrines. 

Here,  at  this  pass,  the  scanty  band 

Of  Iran's  last  avengers  stand  ; 

Here  wait,  in  silence  like  the  dead. 

And  listen  for  the  Moslem's  tread 

So  anxiously,  the  carrion-bird 

Above  them  flaps  his  wing  unheard ! 

They  come  —  that  plunge  into  the  water 
Gives  signal  for  the  work  of  slaughter. 
Now,  Ghebers,  now  —  if  e'er  your  blades 

Had  point  or  prowess,  prove  them  now  — 
Woe  to  the  file  that  foremost  wades  ! 

They  come  —  a  falchion  greets  each  brow, 
And,  as  they  tumble,  trunk  on  trunk. 
Beneath  the  gory  waters  sunk. 
Still  o'er  their  drowning  bodies  press 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  219 

New  victims  quick  and  numberless  ; 
Till  scarce  an  arm  in  Hafed's  band, 

So  fierce  their  toil,  hath  jDOwer  to  stir, 
But  listless  from  each  crimson  hand 

The  sword  hangs,  clogged  with  massacre. 
Never  was  horde  of  tyrants  met 
With  bloodier  welcome  —  never  yet 
To  patriot  vengeance  hath  the  sword 
More  terrible  libations  poured  ! 

All  up  the  dreary,  long  ravine. 
By  the  red,  murky  glimmer  seen 
Of  half-quenched  brands,  that  o'er  the  flood 
Lie  scattered  round  and  burn  in  blood, 
What  ruin  glares  !  what  carnage  swims  ! 
Heads,  blazing  turbans,  quivering  limbs. 
Lost  swords  that,  dropped  from  many  a  hand. 
In  that  thick  pool  of  slaughter  stand  ;  — 
Wretches  who  wading,  half  on  fire 

From  the  tossed  brands  that  round  them  fly, 
'Twixt  flood  and  flame  in  shrieks  expire  ;  — 

And  some  who,  grasped  by  those  that  die, 
Sink  woundless  with  them,  smothered  o'er 
In  their  dead  brethren's  gushing  gore  ! 

But  vainly  hundreds,  thousands  bleed, 
Still  hundreds,  thousands  more  succeed  ; 
Countless  as  towards  some  flame  at  night 
The  North's  dark  insects  wing  their  flight. 
And  quench  or  perish  in  its  light, 


220  LALLA  ROOKH. 

To  this  terrific  spot  they  pour  — 

Till,  bridged  with  Moslem  bodies  o'er, 

It  bears  aloft  their  slipi^ery  tread, 

And  o'er  the  dying  and  the  dead. 

Tremendous  causeway  !  on  they  pass. 

Then,  hapless  Ghebers,  then,  alas. 

What  hope  was  left  for  you  ?  for  you, 

Whose  yet  warm  pile  of  sacrifice 

Is  smoking  in  their  vengeful  eyes  ;  — 

Whose  swords  how  keen,  how  fierce  they  knew, 

And  burn  with  shame  to  find  how  few. 

Crushed  down  by  that  vast  multitude, 

Some  found  their  graves  where  first  they  stood ; 

Wliile  some  with  hardier  struggle  died. 

And  still  fought  on  by  ITafed's  side. 

Who,  fronting  to  the  foe,  trod  back 

Towards  the  high  towers  his  gory  track  ; 

And,  as  a  lion  swept  away 

By  sudden  swell  of  Jordan's  pride 
From  the  wild  covert  where  he  lay,'^^^ 

Long  battles  with  the  o'erwhelming  tide. 
So  fought  he  back  with  fierce  delay. 
And  kept  both  foes  and  fate  at  bay. 

But  whither  now  ?  their  track  is  lost. 

Their  prey  escaped  —  guide,  torches  gone  — 

By  torrent-beds  and  labyrinths  crost. 
The  scattered  crowd  rush  blindly  on  — 

"  Curse  on  those  tardv  lights  that  wind," 


THE  FIRE-WOESIlIPrEKS.  221 

They  panting  cry,  "  so  far  behind ; 

"  Oh,  for  a  bloodhound's  precious  scent, 

"  To  track  the  way  the  Gheber  went !  " 

Vain  wish  —  confusedly  along 

They  rush,  more  desperate  as  more  wrong : 

Till,  wildered  by  the  far-oif  lights, 

Yet  glittering  up  those  gloomy  heights. 

Their  footing,  mazed  and  lost,  they  miss, 

And  down  the  darkling  precipice 

Are  dashed  into  the  deep  abyss ; 

Or  midway  hang,  impaled  on  rocks, 

A  banquet,  yet  alive,  for  flocks 

Of  ravening  vultures,  —  while  the  dell 

Reechoes  with  each  horrible  yell. 

Those  sounds  —  the  last,  to  vengeance  dear, 
That  e'er  shall  ring  in  Hafed's  ear,  — 
Now  reached  him,  as  aloft,  alone. 
Upon  the  steep  way  breathless  thrown. 
He  lay  beside  his  reeking  blade, 

Resigned,  as  if  life's  task  were  o'er, 
Its  last  blood-offering  amply  paid. 

And  Iran's  self  could  claim  no  more. 
One  only  thought,  one  lingering  beam 
Now  broke  across  his  dizzy  dream 
Of  pain  and  weariness  —  't  was  she, 

His  heart's  pure  planet,  shining  yet 
Above  the  waste  of  memory, 

When  all  life's  other  lights  were  set. 
And  never  to  his  mind  before 


222  LALLA  ROOKH. 

Her  image  such  enchantment  wore. 

It  seemed  as  if  each  thought  that  stained, 

Each  fear  that  chilled  their  loves  was  past, 
And  not  one  cloud  of  earth  remained 

Between  him  and  her  radiance  cast ;  — 
As  if  to  charms,  before  so  bright, 

New  grace  from  other  worlds  was  given, 
And  his  soul  saw  her  by  the  light 

Now  breaking  o'er  itself  from  heaven  ! 

A  voice  spoke  near  him  —  't  was  the  tone 
Of  a  loved  friend,  the  only  one 
Of  all  his  warriors,  left  with  life 
From  that  short  night's  tremendous  strife. 
"  And  must  we  then,  my  chief,  die  here  ? 
"  Foes  round  us,  and  the  Shrine  so  near  ! " 
These  Avords  have  roused  the  last  remains 

Of  life  within  him  —  "  What !  not  yet 
"  Beyond  the  reach  of  Moslem  chains  !  " 

The  thought  could  make  e'en  Death  forget 
His  icy  bondage  —  with  a  bound 
He  spi-ings,  all  bleeding,  from  the  ground, 
And  grasps  his  comrade's  arm,  now  grown 
E'en  feebler,  heavier  than  his  own. 
And  up  the  painful  pathway  leads. 
Death  gaining  on  each  step  he  treads. 
Speed  them,  thou  God,  who  heard'st  their  vow  ! 
They  mount —  they  bleed  —  oh,  save  them  now  ! 
The  crags  are  red  they  've  clambered  o'er. 
The  rock-weed 's  dripping  with  their  gore  ;  — 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  223 

Thy  blade  too,  Ha  fed,  false  at  length, 
Now  breaks  beneath  thy  tottering  strength  ! 

Haste,  haste  —  the  voices  of  the  Foe 

Come  near  and  nearer  from  below  — 
One  effort  more  —  thank  Heaven  !  't  is  past, 
They  've  gained  the  topmost  stee])  at  last. 
And  now  they  touch  the  temple's  walls, 

Now  Hafed  sees  the  Fire  divine  — 
Wlien,  lo  !  —  his  weak,  worn  comrade  falls 

Dead  on  the  threshold  of  the  Shrine. 
"  Alas,  brave  soul,  too  quickly  fled ! 

"  And  must  I  leave  thee  withering  here, 
"  The  sport  of  every  ruffian's  tread, 

"  The  mark  for  every  coward's  spear  ? 
"  No,  by  yon  altar's  sacred  beams  !  " 
He  cries,  and,  with  a  strength  that  seems 
Not  of  this  world,  uiDlifts  the  frame 
Of  the  fallen  Chief,  and  towards  the  flame 
Bears  him  along  ;  —  with  death-damp  hand 

The  corpse  upon  the  pyre  he  lays, 
Then  lights  the  consecrated  brand. 

And  fires  the  pile,  whose  sudden  blaze 
Like  lightning  bursts  o'er  O.man's  Sea. 
"  Now,  Freedom's  God  !  I  come  to  Thee," 
The  youth  exclaims,  and  with  a  smile 
Of  triumph  vaulting  on  the  pile. 
In  that  last  effort,  ere  the  fires 
Have  harmed  one  glorious  limb,  expires  ! 

What  shriek  was  that  on  Oman's  tide  ? 


22-1  LALLA   IIOOKH. 

It  came  from  yonder  drifting  bark, 
That  just  hath  caught  upon  her  side 

The  death-hght  —  and  again  is  dark. 
It  is  the  boat  —  ah,  why  delayed  ?  — 
That  bears  the  wretched  Moslem  maid  ; 
Confided  to  the  watchful  care 

Of  a  small  veteran  band,  with  whom 
Their  generous  Chieftain  would  not  share 

The  secret  of  his  final  doom, 
But  hoped  when  Hinda,  safe  and  free, 

Was  rendered  to  her  father's  eyes, 
Their  pardon,  full  and  prompt,  would  be 

The  ransom  of  so  dear  a  prize. 
Unconscious,  thus,  of  IIafed's  fate, 
And  proud  to  guard  their  beauteous  freight, 
Scarce  had  they  cleared  the  surfy  waves 
That  foam  around  those  frightful  caves, 
"When  the  curst  war-whooj)s,  known  so  well, 
Came  echoing  from  the  distant  dell  — 
Sudden  each  oar,  upheld  and  still. 

Hung  dripping  o'er  the  vessel's  side, 
And,  driving  at  the  current's  will. 

They  rocked  along  the  whispering  tide  ; 
While  every  eye,  in  mute  dismay. 

Was  toward  that  fatal  mountain  turned, 
Where  the  dim  altar's  quivering  ray 

As  yet  all  lone  and  tranquil  burned. 

Oh  !  't  is  not,  Hinda,  in  the  power 
Of  flincy's  most  terrific  touch 


THE  FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  225 

To  paint  thy  pangs  in  that  dread  hour  — 

Thy  silent  agony  —  't  was  such 
As  those  who  feel  could  paint  too  well, 
But  none  e'er  felt  and  lived  to  tell ! 
'T  was  not  alone  the  dreary  state 
Of  a  lorn  spirit,  crushed  by  fate. 
When,  though  no  more  remains  to  dread, 

The  panic  chill  will  not  depart ;  — 
When,  though  the  inmate  Hope  be  dead, 

Her  ghost  still  haunts  the  mouldering  heart ; 
No  —  pleasures,  hopes,  affections  gone. 
The  wretch  may  bear,  and  yet  live  on, 
Like  things,  within  the  cold  rock  found 
Alive,  when  all 's  congealed  around. 
But  there 's  a  blank  repose  in  this, 
A  calm  stagnation,  that  were  bliss 
To  the  keen,  burning,  harrowing  pain, 
Now  felt  through  all  thy  breast  and  brain  ;  — 
That  spasm  of  terror,  mute,  intense. 
That  breathless,  agonized  suspense. 
From  whose  hot  throb,  whose  deadly  aching, 
The  heart  hath  no  relief  but  breaking ! 

Calm  is  the  wave  —  heaven's  brilliant  lights 
Reflected  dance  beneath  the  prow  ;  — 

Time  was  when,  on  such  lovely  nights, 
She  who  is  there,  so  desolate  now. 

Could  sit  all  cheerful,  though  alone. 
And  ask  no  happier  joy  than  seeing 

That  starlight  o'er  the  waters  thrown  — 
15 


226  LALLA  ROOKH. 

No  joy  but  that,  to  make  her  blest, 

And  the  fresh,  buoyant  sense  of  being. 
Which  bounds  in  youth's  yet  careless  breast,  - 
Itself  a  star,  not  borrowing  light. 
But  in  its  own  glad  essence  bright. 
How  different  now  !  —  but,  hark,  again 
The  yell  of  havoc  rings  —  brave  men  ! 
In  vain,  with  beating  hearts,  ye  stand 
On  the  bark's  edge  —  in  vain  each  hand 
Half  draws  the  falchion  from  its  sheath  ; 

All 's  o'er  —  in  rust  your  blades  may  lie  :  — 
He,  at  whose  word  they  've  scattered  death, 

E'en  now,  this  night,  himself  must  die  ! 
Well  may  ye  look  to  yon  dim  tower, 

And  ask,  and  wondering  guess  what  means 
The  battle-cry  at  this  dead  hour  — 

Ah  !  she  could  tell  you  —  she,  who  leans 
Unheeded  there,  pale,  sunk,  aghast, 
With  brow  against  the  dew-cold  mast ;  — 

Too  well  she  knows  —  her  more  than  life. 
Her  soul's  first  idol  and  its  last. 

Lies  bleeding  in  that  murderous  strife. 

But  see  —  what  moves  upon  the  height  ? 
Some  signal !  —  't  is  a  torch's  light. 

T\niat  bodes  its  solitary  glare  ? 
In  gasping  silence  toward  the  Shrine 
All  eyes  are  turned  —  thine,  Hinda,  thine 

Fix  their  last  fading  life-beams  there. 
'T  was  but  a  moment  —  fierce  and  hioh 


THE   FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.  227 

The  death-pile  blazed  into  the  sky, 
And  fai'  away,  o'er  rock  and  flood 

Its  melancholy  radiance  sent ; 
While  IIafed,  like  a  vision  stood 
Revealed  before  the  burning  pyre. 
Tall,  shadowy,  like  a  Spirit  of  Fire 

Shrined  in  its  own  grand  element ! 
"  'T  is  he  !  "  —  the  shuddering  maid  exclaims,  — 

But,  while  she  si^eaks,  he  's  seen  no  more  ; 
High  burst  in  air  the  funeral  flames, 

And  Iran's  hopes  and  hers  are  o'er  ! 
One  wild,  heart-broken  shriek  she  gave  ; 

Then  sprung,  as  if  to  reach  that  blaze, 

Where  still  she  fixed  her  dying  gaze. 
And,  gazing,  sunk  into  the  wave,  — 

Deep,  deep,  —  where  never  care  or  pain 

Shall  reach  her  innocent  heart  aiiain  ! 


Farewell  —  farewell  to  thee,  Araby's  daughter  ! 

(Thus  warbled  a  Peri  beneath  the  dark  sea,) 
No  pearl  ever  lay,  under  Ojian's  green  water. 

More  pure  in  its  shell  than  thy  Spirit  in  thee. 

Oh !  fair  as  the  sea-flower  close  to  thee  growing, 
How  light  was  thy  heart  till  Love's  witchery  came, 

Like  the  wind  of  the  south  -^^  o'er  a  summer  lute 
blowing, 
And  hushed  all  its  music,  and  withered  its  frame  ! 


228'  LALLA  ROOXH. 

But  long,  upon  Araby's  green  sunny  highlands, 
Shall  maids  and  their  lovers  remember  the  doom 

Of  her,  who  lies  sleeping  among  the  Pearl  Islands, 
With  naught  but  the  sea-star  '^"^  to  light  up  her 
tomb. 

And  still,  when  the  merry  date-season  is  buniing,'-^^ 
And  calls  to  the  palm-groves  the  young  and  the 
old, 

The  happiest  there,  from  their  pastime  returning 
At  sunset,  will  weep  when  thy  story  is  told. 

The   young   village  -  maid,   when   with  flowers   she 
dresses 

Her  dark  flowing  hair  for  some  festival  day. 
Will  think  of  thy  fate  till,  neglecting  her  tresses. 

She  mournfully  turns  from  the  mirror  away. 

Nor  shall  Iran,  beloved  of  her  Hero  !  forget  thee  — 
Though  tyrants  watch  over  her  tears  as  they  start ; 

Close,  close  by  the  side  of  that  Hero  she  '11  set  thee, 
Embalmed  in  the  innermost  shrine  of  her  heart. 

Farewell  —  be  it  ours  to  embellish  thy  pillow 
With  everything  beauteous  that  grows  in  the  deep  ; 

Each  flower  of  the  rock  and  each  gem  of  the  billow 
Shall  sweeten  thy  bed  and  illumine  thy  sleep. 

Around  thee  shall  glisten  the  loveliest  amber 
That  ever  the  sorrowing  sea-bird  has  wept ;  ^^^ 


THE    FIRE-WOESHTPPERS.  229 

"With  many  a  shell,  in  whose  hollow-wreathed  cham- 
ber 
We,  Peris  of  Ocean,  by  moonlight  have  slept. 

We  '11  dive  where  the  gardens  of  coral  lie  darkling, 
And  plant  all  the  rosiest  stems  at  thy  head ; 

We  '11  seek  where  the  sands  of  the  Caspian  ^°°  are 
sparkling. 
And  gather  their  gold  to  strew  over  thy  bed. 

Farewell  —  farewell  —  until  Pity's  sweet  fountain 

Is  lost  in  the  hearts  of  the  fair  and  the  brave. 
They'll  weep  for  the    Chieftain  who   died  on  that 
mountain,  — 
They  '11  weep  for  the  Maiden  who  sleeps  in  this 
wave. 


The  singular  placidity  with  which  Fadladeen 
had  listened,  during  the  latter  part  of  this  obnoxious 
story,  sui-prised  the  Princess  and  Feramorz  ex- 
ceedingly ;  and  even  inclined  towards  him  the  hearts 
of  these  unsuspicious  young  persons,  who  little  knew 
the  source  of  a  complacency  so  marvellous.  The 
truth  Avas,  he  had  been  organizing,  for  the  last  few 
days,  a  most  notable  plan  of  persecution  against  the 
poet,  in  consequence  of  some  passages  that  had  fallen 
from  him  on  the  second  evening  of  recital,  —  which 
appeared  to  this  worthy  Chamberlain  to  contain  lan- 
guage and  principles,  for  which  nothing  short  of  the 
summary  criticism  of  the  Chabuk  ^"^  would  be  ad- 
visable. It  was  his  intention,  therefore,  immediately 
on  their  arrival  at  Cashmere,  to  give  information  to 
the  King  of  Bucharia  of  the  very  dangerous  senti- 
ments of  his  minstrel ;  and  if,  unfortunately,  that 
monarch  did  not  act  with  suitable  vigor  on  the  oc- 
casion, (that  is,  if  he  did  not  give  the  Chabuk  to 
Feramorz,  and  a  place  to  Fadladeen,)  there 
would  be  an  end,  he  feared,  of  all  legitimate  govern- 
ment in  Bucharia.  He  could  not  help,  however, 
auguring  better  both  for  himself  and  the  cause  of 
potentates  in  general ;  and  it  was  the  pleasure  aris- 


LALLA   ROOKH.  231 

ing  from  these  mingled  anticipations  that  diffused 
such  unusual  satisfaction  through  his  features,  and 
made  his  eyes  shine  out,  like  poppies  of  the  desert, 
over  the  wide  and  lifeless  wilderness  of  that  coun- 
tenance. 

Having  decided  upon  the  Poet's  chastisement  in 
this  manner,  he  thought  it  but  humanity  to  spare 
him  the  minor  tortures  of  ci'iticism.  Accordingly, 
when  they  assembled  the  following  evening  in  the 
pavilion,  and  Lalla  Rookh  was  expecting  to  see 
all  the  beauties  of  her  bard  melt  away,  one  by  one, 
in  the  acidity  of  criticism,  like  pearls  in  the  cup  of 
the  EgyjDtian  queen,  —  he  agreeably  disappointed 
her,  by  merely  saying,  with  an  ironical  smile,  that 
the  merits  of  such  a  poem  deserved  to  be  tried  at  a 
much  higher  tribunal ;  and  then  suddenly  passed  off 
into  a  panegyric  upon  all  Mussulman  sovereigns, 
more  particularly  his  august  and  Imperial  master, 
Aurungzebe,  —  the  wisest  and  best  of  the  descend- 
ants of  Timur,  —  who,  among  other  great  things  he 
had  done  for  mankind,  had  given  to  him,  Fadla- 
DEEN,  the  very  jjrofitable  posts  of  Betel-carrier  and 
Taster  of  Sherbets  to  the  Emperor,  Chief  Holder  of 
the  Girdle  of  Beautiful  Forms,^°-  and  Grand  Nazir, 
or  Chamberlain  of  the  Harem. 

They  were  now  not  far  from  that  Forbidden 
River,^°^  beyond  which  no  pure  Hindoo  can  pass ; 
and  were  reposing  for  a  time  in  the   rich  valley  of 


232  LALLA  ROOKH. 

Hussun  Abdaul,  which  had  always  been  a  favorite 
resting-place  of  the  Emperors  in  their  annual  migra- 
tions to  Cashmere.  Here  often  had  the  Light  of  the 
Faith,  Jehan-guire,  been  known  to  wander  with  his 
beloved  and  beautiful  Nourmahal ;  and  here  would 
Lalla  Rookh  have  been  happy  to  remain  forever, 
giving  up  the  throne  of  Bucharia  and  the  world,  for 
Feramorz  and  love  in  this  sweet,  lonely  valley.  But 
the  time  was  now  fast  approaching  when  she  must 
see  him  no  longer,  —  or,  what  was  still  worse,  behold 
him  with  eyes  whose  very  look  belonged  to  another  ; 
and  there  was  a  melancholy  preciousness  in  these 
last  moments,  which  made  her  heart  cling  to  them 
as  it  would  to  life.  During  the  latter  part  of  the 
journey,  indeed,  she  had  sunk  into  a  deep  sadness, 
from  which  nothing  but  the  presence  of  the  young 
minstrel  could  awake  her.  Like  those  lamps  in 
tombs  which  only  light  up  when  the  air  is  admitted, 
it  was  only  at  his  approach  that  her  eyes  became 
smiling  and  animated.  But  here,  in  this  dear  valley, 
every  moment  appeared  an  age  of  pleasure  ;  she  saw 
him  all  day,  and  was,  therefore,  all  day  happy,  — 
resembling,  she  often  thought,  that  people  of  Zinge, 
who  attribute  the  unfading  cheerfulness  they  enjoy  to 
one  genial  star  that  rises  nightly  over  their  heads.^°* 

The  whole  party,  indeed,  seemed  in  their  liveliest 
mood  during  the  few  days  they  passed  in  this  de- 
lightful solitude.  The  young  attendants  of  the  Prin- 
cess, who  were   here   allowed   a  much  freer  range 


LALLA  ROOKH.  233 

than  they  could  safely  be  indulged  with  in  a  less 
sequestered  place,  ran  wild  among  the  gardens  and 
bounded  through  the  meadows,  lightly  as  young  roes 
over  the  aromatic  plains  of  Tibet.  While  Fadla- 
DKEN,  in  addition  to  the  spiritual  comfort  derived  by 
him  from  a  pilgrimage  to  the  tomb  of  the  Saint 
from  whom  the  valley  is  named,  had  also  opportuni- 
ties of  indulging,  in  a  small  way,  his  taste  for  victims 
by  putting  to  death  some  hundreds  of  those  unfor- 
tunate little  lizards,^"*^  which  all  i3ious  Mussulmans 
make  it  a  point  to  kill  ;  —  taking  for  granted,  that 
the  manner  in  which  the  creature  hangs  its  head  is 
meant  as  a  mimicry  of  the  attitude  in  which  the 
Faithful  say  their  prayers. 

About  two  miles  from  Hussun  Abdaul  were  those 
Royal  Gardens,^"®  which  had  grown  beautiful  under 
the  care  of  so  many  lovely  eyes,  and  were  beautiful 
still,  though  those  eyes  could  see  them  no  longer. 
This  place,  with  its  flowers  and  its  holy  silence,  in- 
terrui>ted  only  by  the  dipping  of  the  wings  of  birds 
in  its  marble  basins  filled  with  the  piu-e  water  of 
those  hills,  was  to  Lalla  Rookh  all  that  her  heart 
could  fancy  of  fragrance,  coolness,  and  almost  heav- 
enly tranquillity.  As  the  Prophet  said  of  Damas- 
cus, "  It  was  too  delicious  ; "  ^'^  —  and  here,  in  listen- 
ing to  the  sweet  voice  of  Feramorz,  or  reading  in 
his  eyes  what  yet  he  never  dared  to  tell  her,  the  most 
exquisite  moments  of  her  whole  life  were  passed. 
One  evening,  when  they  had  been    talking  of  the 


234  LALLA  ROOKEf. 

Sultana  Nourmahal,  the  Light  of  the  Harem,^"^  who 
had  so  often  wandered  among  these  flowers,  and  fed 
with  her  own  hands,  in  those  marble  basins,  the 
small  shining  fishes  of  which  she  was  so  fond,  —  ^°^ 
the  youth,  in  order  to  delay  the  moment  of  separa- 
tion, proposed  to  recite  a  short  story,  or  rather  rhap- 
sody, of  which  this  adored  Sultana  was  the  heroine. 
It  related,  he  said,  to  the  reconcilement  of  a  sort  of 
lovers'  quarrel  which  took  place  between  her  and 
the  Emperor  during  a  Feast  of  Roses  at  Cashmere; 
and  would  remind  the  Princess  of  that  difference 
between  Ilaroun  Al-Raschid  and  his  fair  mistress 
Marida,^^°  which  was  so  happily  made  up  by  the  soft 
strains  of  the  musician,  Moussali.  As  the  story  was 
chiefly  to  be  told  in  song,  and  Feramouz  had  un- 
luckily forgotten  his  own  lute  in  the  valley,  he  bor- 
rowed the  vina  of  Lalla  Rookh's  little  Persian 
slave,  and  thus  began  :  — 


THE   LIGHT   OF   THE   HAREM. 


Who  has  not  heard  of  the  Vale  of  Cashmere, 
With  its  roses  the  brightest  that  earth  ever  gave,^^^ 

Its  temples,  and  grottos,  and  fountains  as  clear 
As  the   love-lighted   eyes   that   hung   over   their 
wave  ? 


Oh  !  to  see  it  at  sunset,  —  when  warm  o'er  the  Lake 

Its  splendor  at  parting  a  summer  eve  throws. 
Like  a  bride,  full  of  blushes,  when  lingering  to  take 

A  last  lobk  of  her  mirror  at  night  ere  she  goes !  — 
When  the  shrines  through  the  foliage  are  gleaming 

half  shown, 
And  each  hallows  the  hour  by  some  rites  of  its  own. 
Here  the  nnisic  of  prayer  from  a  minaret  swells. 

Here    the    Magian  his  urn,   full  of  perfume,   is 
swinging, 
And  here,  at  the  altar,  a  zone  of  sweet  bells 

Round  the  waist  of  some  fair   Indian   dancer  is 
ringing.  ^^- 
Or  to  see  it  by  moonlight,  —  when  mellowly  shines 
The  light  o'er  its  palaces,  gardens,  and  shrines  ; 


236  LALLA  ROOKH. 

Wlien  the  water-falls  gleam,  like  a  quick  fall  of  stars, 
And  the  nightingale's  hymn  from  the  Isle  of  Chenars 
Is  broken  by  laughs  and  light  echoes  of  feet 
From  the  cool,  shining  walks  where  the  young  peo- 
ple meet. 
Or  at  morn,  when  the  magic  of  daylight  awakes 
A  new  wonder  each  minute,  as  slowly  it  breaks, 
Hills,  cupolas,  fountains,  called  forth  every  one 
Out  of  darkness,  as  if  but  just  born  of  the  Sun. 
When  the  Spirit  of  Fragrance  is  up  with  the  day. 
From  his  Harem  of  night-flowers  stealing  away ; 
And  the  Avind,  full  of  wantonness,  woos  like  a  lover 
The  young  aspen-trees/^^  till  they  tremble  all  over. 
Wlien  the  East  is  as  warm  as  the  light  of  first  hopes. 

And  Day,  with  his  banner  of  radiance  unfurled. 
Shines  in  through  the  mountainous   portal  ^-^^  that 
opes. 

Sublime,  from  that  Valley  of  bliss  to  the  world ! 

But  never  yet,  by  night  or  day, 
In  dew  of  spring  or  summer's  ray, 
Did  the  sweet  Valley  shine  so  gay 
As  now  it  shines  —  all  love  and  light, 
Visions  by  day  and  feasts  by  night ! 
A  happier  smile  illumes  each  brow, 

"With  quicker  spread  each  heart  uncloses. 
And  all  is  ecstasy,  —  for  now 

The  Valley  holds  its  Feast  of  Roses ;  ^^^ 
The  joyous  Time,  when  pleasures  pour 
Profusely  round,  and,  in  their  shower, 


THE  LIGHT   or   THE  HAREM.  237 

Hearts  open,  like  the  Season's  Rose,  — 
The  Flow'ret  of  a  hundred  leaves,''^'' 

Expanding  while  the  dew-fall  flows. 
And  every  leaf  its  balm  receives. 

'T  was  when  the  hour  of  evening  came 

Upon  the  Lake,  serene  and  cool, 
"When  Day  had  hid  his  sultry  flame 

Behind  the  palms  of  BaRxVMOUle,^" 
When  maids  began  to  lift  their  heads, 
Refreshed  from  their  embroidered  beds, 
Where  they  had  slept  the  sun  away. 
And  Avaked  to  moonlight  and  to  jilay. 
All  were  abroad  —  the  busiest  hive 
On  Bela's  ^^^  hills  is  less  alive, 
When  saflTron-beds  are  full  in  flower, 
Than  looked  the  Valley  in  that  hour. 
A  thousand  restless  torches  played 
Through  every  grove  and  island  shade  ; 
A  thousand  sparkling  lamps  were  set 
On  every  dome  and  minaret ; 
And  fields  and  pathways,  far  and  near. 
Were  lighted  by  a  blaze  so  clear. 
That  you  could  see,  in  wandering  round, 
The  smallest  rose-leaf  on  the  ground. 
Yet  did  the  maids  and  matrons  leave 
Their  veils  at  home,  that  brilliant  eve  ; 
And  there  were  glancing  eyes  about. 
And  cheeks,  that  would  not  dare  shine  out 
In  open  day,  but  thought  they  might 


238  LALLA   ROOKH. 

Look  lovely  then,  because  't  was  night. 
And  all  were  free,  and  wandering, 

And  all  exclaimed  to  all  they  met, 
That  never  did  the  summer  bring 

So  gay  a  Feast  of  Eoses  yet ;  — 
The  moon  had  never  shed  a  light 

So  clear  as  that  which  blessed  them  there 
The  roses  ne'er  shone  half  so  bright, 

Nor  they  themselves  looked  half  so  fair. 

And  what  a  wilderness  of  flowers  ! 

It  seemed  as  though  from  all  the  bowers 

And  fairest  fields  of  all  the  year, 

The  mingled  spoil  were  scattered  here. 

The  Lake,  too,  like  a  garden  breathes. 

With  the  rich  buds  that  o'er  it  lie,  — 
As  if  a  shower  of  fairy  wreaths 

Had  fallen  upon  it  from  the  sky  ! 
And  then  the  soimds  of  joy,  —  the  beat 
Of  tabors  and  of  dancing  feet ;  — 
The  minaret-crier's  chant  of  glee 
Sung  from  his  lighted  gallery ,^^^ 
And  answered  by  a  ziraleet 
From  neighboring  Harem,  wild  and  sweet;  — 
The  merry  laughter,  echoing 
From  gardens,  where  the  silken  swing  ^^^ 
Wafts  some  delighted  girl  above 
The  top  leaves  of  the  orange-grove  ; 
Or,  from  those  infant  groups  at  play 
Among  the  tents  ^'"'  that  line  the  way, 


THE   LIGHT   OF   THE  HAREM.  239 

Flinging,  inlawed  by  slave  or  mother, 
Handfnls  of  roses  at  each  other. 

Then,  the  sounds  from  the  Lake,  the  low  whisper- 
ing in  boats, 
As  they  shoot  through  the  moonlight ;  —  the  dip- 
ping of  oars. 
And  the  wild,  airy  warbling  that  everywhere  floats. 
Through  the  groves  round   the  islands,  as  if  all 
the  shores, 
Like  those  of  Kathay,  uttered  music,  and  gave 
An  answer  in  song  to  the  kiss  of  each  wave.'^-^ 
But  the  gentlest  of  all  are  those  sounds,  full  of  feel- 
ing' 
That  soft  from  the  lute  of  some  lover  are  stealing,  — 
Some  lover,  who  knows  all  the  heart-touching  power 
Of  a  lute  and -a  sigh  in  this  magical  hour. 
Oh  !  best  of  delights  as  it  everywhere  is 
To  be  near  the  loved  One,  —  what  a  rapture  is  his 
Who  in  moonlight  and  music  thus  sweetly  may  glide 
O'er  the  Lake  of  Cashmere,  with  that  One  by  his 

side  ! 
If  woman  can  make  the  worst  wilderness  dear. 
Think,  think    what   a  heaven    she    nmst    make    of 
Cashmere ! 

So  felt  the  magnificent  Son  of  Acbar,^-^ 

When  from  power  and  pomp  and  the  trophies  of  war 

He  flew  to  that  Valley,  forgetting  them  all 

With  the  Light  of  the  Harem,  his  young  NouR- 

MAHAL. 


240  LALLA  ROOKH. 

When  free  and  uncrowned  as  the  Conqueror  roved 
By  the  banks  of  that  Lake,  with  his  only  beloved, 
He  saw,  in  the  wreaths  she  would  jjlayfully  snatch 
From    the    hedges,    a   glory   his   crown    could    not 

match. 
And  preferred   in  his  heart  the  least  ringlet  that 

curled 
Down  her  exquisite  neck  to  the  throne  of  the  world. 

There  's  a  beauty,  foi-ever  unchangingly  bright, 
Like  the  long,  sunny  lapse  of  a  summer-day's  light, 
Shining  on,  shining  on,  by  no  shadow  made  tender, 
Till  Love  falls  asleep  in  its  sameness  of  splendor. 
This  ivas  not  the  beauty  —  oh,  nothing  like  this, 
That  to  young  Nourmahal  gave  such  magic   of 

bliss ! 
But  that  loveliness,  ever  in  motion,  which  plays 
Like  the  light  upon  autumn's  soft  shadowy  days. 
Now  here  and  now  there,  giving  warmth  as  it  flies 
From  the  lip  to  the  cheek,  from  the  cheek  to  the 

eyes; 
Now  melting  in  mist  and  now  breaking  in  gleams, 
Like  the  glimpses  a  saint  hath  of  heaven   in   his 

dreams. 
When  pensive,  it  seemed  as  if  that  very  grace, 
That  charm  of  all  others,  was  born  with  her  face  ! 
And  when    angry,  —  for    e'en   in   the   tranquillest 

climes 
Light  breezes  will  ruffle  the  blossoms  sometimes,  — 
The  short,  j^assing  anger  but  seemed  to  awaken 


THE  LIGHT   OF   THE  HAREM.  241 

New  beauty,   like   flowers  that  are  sweetest   when 

shaken. 
If  tenderness  touched  her,  the  dark  of  her  eye 
At  once  took  a  darker,  a  heavenlier  dye, 
From  the  depth  of  whose  shadow,  like  holy  reveal- 

ings 
From  innermost  shrines,  came  the  light  of  her  feel- 
ings. 
Then  her  mirth  —  oh  !  't  was  sportive  as  ever  took 

wing 
From  the  heart  with  a  burst,  like  the  wild-bird  in 

spring ; 
Illumed  by  a  wit  that  would  fascinate  sages. 
Yet  playful  as  Peris  just  loosed  from  their  cages.  ^-^ 
While  her  laugh,  full  of  life,  without  any  control 
But  the  sweet  one  of  gracefulness,  rung  from  her 

soul ; 
And  where  it  most  sparkled  no  glance  could  dis- 
cover. 
In  lip,  cheek,  or  eyes,  for  she  brightened  all  over,  — 
Like  any  fair  lake  that  the  breeze  is  upon, 
When  it  breaks  into  dimples  and  laughs  in  the  sun. 
Such,  such  were  the   peerless   enchantments,   that 

gave 
KouRMAHAL  the  proud  Lord  of  the  East  for  her 

slave : 
And  though  bright  was  his  Harem,  —  a  living  par- 
terre 
Of  the  flowers  ^'^^  of  this  planet  —  though  treasures 
were  there, 

10 


242  LALLA  ROOKH. 

For  which  Soliman's  self  might  have  given  all  the 

store 
That  the  navy  from  Ophir  e'er  winged  to  his  shore, 
Yet  dim  before  her  were  the  smiles  of  them  all, 
And  the  Light  of  his  Harem  was  young  Nourma- 

HAL  ! 

But  where  is  she  now,  this  night  of  joy, 

"When  bliss  is  e\  ery  heart's  employ  ?  — 

When  all  around  her  is  so  bright, 

So  like  the  visions  of  a  trance, 

That  one  might  think,  who  came  by  chance 

Into  the  vale  this  happy  night, 

He  saw  that  City  of  Delight  ^^^ 

In  Fairy-land,  whose  streets  and  towers 

Are  made  of  gems  and  light  and  flowers  ! 

Where  is  the  loved  Sultana?  where, 

When  mirth  brings  out  the  young  and  fair, 

Does  she,  the  fairest,  hide  her  brow, 

In  melancholy  stillness  now  ? 

/       Alas  !  —  how  light  a  cause  may  move 
/         Dissension  between  heails  that  love  ! 

Hearts  that  the  world  in  vain  had  tried. 

And  sorrow  but  more  closely  tied  ; 

That  stood  the  storm,  when  waves  were  rough. 

Yet  in  a  sunny  hour  fall  off. 

Like  ships  that  have  gone  down  at  sea^ 

When  heaven  was  all  tranquillity ! 

A  something,  light  as  air  —  a  look. 


THE  LIGHT   OF  THE  HAREM.  243 

A  word  unkind  or  wrongly  taken  — 
Oh  !  love,  that  tempests  never  shook, 

A  breath,  a  touch  like  this  hath  shaken. 
And  ruder  words  will  soon  rush  in 
To  spread  the  breach  that  words  begin  ; 
And  eyes  forget  the  gentle  ray 
They  wore  in  courtship's  smiling  day  ; 
And  voices  lose  the  tone  that  shed 
A  tenderness  round  all  they  said  ; 
Till  fast  declining,  one  by  one. 
The  sweetnesses  of  love  are  gone, 
And  hearts,  so  lately  mingled,  seem 
Like  broken  clouds,  —  or  like  the  stream, 
That  smiling  left  the  movmtain's  brow 

As  though  its  waters  ne'er  could  sever, 
Yet,  ere  it  reach  the  plain  below, 

Breaks  into  floods  that  part  forever. 

0  you,  that  have  the  charge  of  Love, 

Keep  him  in  rosy  bondage  boimd, 
As  in  the  Fields  of  Bliss  above 

He  sits,  with  flow' rets  fettered  round  ;  —  --" 
Loose  not  a  tie  that  round  him  clings, 
Nor  ever  let  him  use  his  wings  ; 
For  e'en  an  hour,  a  minute's  flight 
Will  rob  the  plumes  of  half  their  light. 
Like  that  celestial  bird,  —  whose  nest 

Is  found  beneath  far  Eastern  skies,  — 
Whose  wings,  though  radiant  when  at  rest. 

Lose  all  their  glory  when  he  flies  !  "-'^ 


244  LALLA   ROOKH. 

Some  difference,  of  this  dangerous  kind,  — 

By  which,  though  light,  the  links  that  bind 

The  fondest  hearts  may  soon  be  riven  ; 

Some  shadow  in  Love's  summer  heaven, 

Which,  though  a  fleecy  speck  at  first. 

May  yet  in  awful  thunder  burst ;  — 

Such  cloud  it  is,  that  now  hangs  over 

The  heart  of  the  Imperial  Lover, 

And  far  hath  banished  fi'om  his  sight 

His  NouRMAHAL,  liis  Harem's  Light ! 

Hence  is  it,  on  this  happy  night. 

When  Pleasure  through  the  fields  and  groves 

Has  let  loose  all  her  world  of  loves, 

And  every  heart  has  found  its  own, 

He  wanders,  joyless  and  alone, 

And  weary  as  that  bird  of  Thrace, 

Whose  pinion  knows  no  resting-place.^'^® 

In  vain  the  loveliest  cheeks  and  eyes 

This  Eden  of  the  Earth  supplies 

Come  crowding  round  —  the  cheeks  are  pale, 
The  eyes  are  dim :  —  though  rich  the  spot 
With  every  flower  this  earth  has  got. 

What  is  it  to  the  nightingale. 
If  there  his  darling  rose  is  not  ?  ^^^ 
In  vain  the  valley's  smiling  throng 
Worship  him,  as  he  moves  along ; 
He  heeds  them  not  —  one  smile  of  hers 
Is  worth  a  world  of  worshippers. 
They  but  the  Star's  adorers  are, 
She  is  the  heaven  that  liohts  the  Star ! 


THE  LIGHT   OF  THE  HAREM.  245 

Hence  is  it,  too,  that  jSTourmahal, 

Amid  the  hixuries  of  this  hour, 
Fai*  from  the  joyous  festival, 

Sits  in  her  own  sequestered  bower. 
With  no  one  near,  to  soothe  or  aid. 
But  that  inspired  and  wondrous  maid, 
Namouna,  the  Enchantress  ;  —  one, 
O'er  whom  his  race  the  golden  sun 
For  unremembered  years  has  run, 
Yet  never  saw  her  blooming  brow 
Younger  or  fairer  than  't  is  now. 
Nay,  rather,  —  as  the  west  wind's  sigh 
Freshens  the  flower  it  passes  by,  — 
Time's  wing  but  seemed,  in  stealing  o'er, 
To  leave  her  lovelier  than  before. 
Yet  on  her  smiles  a  sadness  hung, 
And  when,  as  oft,  she  spoke  or  simg 
Of  other  worlds,  there  came  a  light 
From  her  dark  eyes  so  strangely  bright, 
That  all  believed  nor  man  nor  earth 
Were  conscious  of  Namouna's  birth ! 
All  spells  and  talismans  she  knew. 

From  the  great  Mantra,^^^  which  around 
The  Air  sublimer  Spirits  drew, 

To  the  gold  gems  ^^'~  of  Afric,  bound 
Upon  the  wandering  Arab's  arm. 
To  keep  him  from  the  Siltim's  ^^^  harm. 
And  she  had  pledged  her  powerful  art,  — 
Pledged  it  with  all  the  zeal  and  heart 
Of  one  who  knew,  though  high  her  sphere. 


246  LALLA   ROOKH. 

Wliat  't  was  to  lose  a  love  so  dear,  — 
To  find  some  spell  that  should  recall 
Her  Selim's  ^^*  smile  to  Nourmahal  ! 

'  T  was  midnight  —  through  the  lattice,  wreathed 
With  woodbine,  many  a  perfume  breathed 
From  plants  that  wake  when  others  sleep. 
From  timid  jasmine  buds,  that  keep 
Their  odor  to  themselves  all  day, 
But,  when  the  simlight  dies  away, 
Let  the  delicious  secret  out 
To  every  breeze  that  roams  about ;  — 
Wlien  thus  Naaiouna  :  —  "  'T  is  the  hour 
"  That  scatters  spells  on  herb  and  flower, 
"  And  garlands  might  be  gathered  now, 
"  That,  twined  around  the  sleeper's  brow, 
"  Would  make  him  dream  of  such  delights, 
"  Such  miracles  and  dazzling  sights, 
"  As  Genii  of  the  Sun  behold, 
"  At  evening,  from  their  tents  of  gold 
"  Upon  th'  horizon  —  where  they  play 
"  Till  twilight  comes,  and,  ray  by  ray, 
"  Their  simny  mansions  melt  away. 
"  Now,  too,  a  chaplet  might  be  wreathed 
"  Of  buds  o'er  which  the  moon  has  breathed, 
"  Which  worn  by  her,  whose  love  has  strayed, 

"  Might  bring  some  Peri  from  the  skies, 
"  Some  sprite,  whose  very  soul  is  made 

"  Of  flowerets'  breaths  and  lovers'  sighs, 
"  And  who  misiht  tell  " 


THE  LIGHT  OF  THE   HAREM.  247 

"  For  nie,  for  me," 
Cried  Nourjiahal  impatiently,  — 
"  Oh  !  twine  that  wreath  for  me  to-night." 
Then,  rapidly,  with  foot  as  light 
As  the  young  musk-roe's,  out  she  flew. 
To  cull  each  shining  leaf  that  grew 
Beneath  the  moonlight's  hallowing  beams, 
For  this  enchanted  Wreath  of  Dreams. 
Anemones  and  Seas  of  Gold,^^^ 

And  new-blown  lilies  of  the  river, 
And  those  sweet  flowerets,  that  unfold 

Their  buds  on  Cajiadeva's  quiver ;  —  ^^® 
The  tube-rose,  with  her  silvery  light, 

That  in  the  Gardens  of  Malay 
Is  called  the  Mistress  of  the  Night, ^^^ 
So  like  a  bride,  scented  and  bright, 

She  comes  out  when  the  sun  's  away  ;  — 
Amaranths,  such  as  crown  the  maids 
That  wander  through  Zamara's  shades  ;  —  ^^^ 
And  the  white  moon-flower,  as  it  shows, 
On  Serendib's  high  crags,  to  those 
Wlio  near  the  isle  at  evening  sail. 
Scenting  her  clove-trees  in  the  gale  ; 
In  short,  all  flowerets  and  all  plants, 

From  the  divine  Amrita-tree,^* 
That  blesses  heaven's  inhabitants 

With  fruits  of  immortality, 
Down  to  the  basil  tuft,^^**  that  waves, 
Its  fragrant  blossom  over  graves. 

And  to  the  humble  rosemary. 


248  LALLA  EOOKH. 

Whose  sweets  so  thanklessly  are  shed 
To  scent  the  desert  ^^^  and  the  dead  :  — 
All  in  that  garden  bloom,  and  all 
Are  gathered  by  young  Nourmahal, 
Who  lieaps  her  baskets  with  the  flowers 

And  leaves,  till  they  can  hold  no  more  ; 
Then  to  Namouna  flies,  and  showers 

Upon  her  lap  the  shining  store. 

With  what  delight  th'  Enchantress  views 

So  many  buds,  bathed  with  the  dews 

And  beams  of  that  blessed  hour  !  —  her  glance 

Spoke  something,  past  all  mortal  pleasures, 
As,  in  a  kind  of  holy  trance. 

She  hung  above  those  fragrant  treasures, 
Bending  to  drink  their  balmy  airs, 
As  if  she  mixed  her  soul  with  theirs. 
And  't  was,  indeed,  the  perfume  shed 
From  flowers  and  scented  flame,  that  fed 
Her  charmed  life  —  for  none  had  e'er 
Beheld  her  taste  of  mortal  fare, 
Nor  ever  in  aught  earthly  dip, 
But  the  morn's  dew,  her  roseate  lip. 
Filled  with  the  cool,  inspiring  smell, 
Th'  Enchanti'ess  noAV  begins  her  spell, 
Thus  singing  as  she  winds  and  weaves 
In  mystic  form  the  glittering  leaves  :  — 


THE  LIGHT   OF   THE  HAREM.  249 

I  know  where  the  Aviugecl  visions  dwell 

That  around  the  night-bed  play  ; 
I  know  each  herl)  and  floweret's  bell, 
Where  they  hide  their  wings  by  day. 
Then  hasten  we,  maid, 
To  twine  our  braid, 
To-inorrow  the  dreams  and  flowers  will  fade. 

The  image  of  love,  that  nightly  flies 

To  visit  the  bashful  maid. 
Steals  from  the  jasmine  flower,  that  sighs 

Its  soul,  like  her,  in  the  shade. 
The  dream  of  a  future,  happier  hour, 

That  alights  on  misery's  brow. 
Springs  out  of  the  silvery  almond-flower, 

.That  blooms  on  a  leafless  bough.^^^ 
Then  hasten  we,  maid, 
To  twine  our  braid. 
To-morrow  the  dreams  and  flowers  will  fade. 

The  visions,  that  oft  to  worldly  eyes 

The  glitter  of  mines  unfold. 
Inhabit  the  mountain-herb,^^^  that  dyes 

The  tooth  of  the  fawn  like  gold. 
The  phantom  shapes  —  oh  touch  not  them  — 

That  appall  the  murderer's  sight. 
Lurk  in  the  fleshly  mandrake's  stem. 

That  shrieks,  when  plucked  at  night ! 
Then  hasten  we,  maid. 
To  twine  our  braid, 
To-morrow  the  dreams  and  flowers  will  fade. 


250  LALLA   ROOKH. 

The  dream  of  the  injured,  patient  mind, 

That  smiles  at  the  wrongs  of  men, 
Is  found  in  the  bruised  and  wounded  rind 
Of  the  cinnamon,  sweetest  then. 
Then  hasten  we,  maid, 
To  twine  our  braid, 
To-morrow  the  dreams  and  flowers  will  fade 


No  sooner  was  the  flowery  crown 

Placed  on  her  head,  than  sleep  came  down, 

Gently  as  nights  of  summer  fall. 

Upon  the  lids  of  Nourmahal  ;  — 

And,  suddenly,  a  tuneful  breeze, 

As  full  of  small,  rich  harmonies 

As  ever  wind,  that  o'er  the  tents 

Of  AzAB  ^"  blew,  was  full  of  scents, 

Steals  on  her  ear,  and  floats  and  swells, 

Like  the  first  air  of  morning  creeping 
Into  those  wreathy,  Eed-Sea  shells. 

Where  Love  himself,  of  old,  lay  sleeping  ;  ^*^ 
And  now  a  Spirit  formed,  't  would  seem. 

Of  music  and  of  light,  —  so  fair, 
So  brilliantly  his  features  beam. 

And  such  a  sound  is  in  the  air 
Of  sweetness  when  he  waves  his  wings,  — 
Hovers  around  her,  and  thus  sings  : 

From  Chindara's  ^*'^  warbling  fount  I  come, 
Called  by  that  moonlight  garland's  spell ; 


TPIE  LIGHT  OF   THE   HAREM.  251 

From  Chindara's  fount,  my  fairy  home, 

Where  in  music,  morn  and  night,  I  dwell. 
Where  lutes  in  the  air  are  heard  about, 

And  voices  are  singing  the  whole  day  long, 
And  every  sigh  the  heart  breathes  out 
Is  turned,  as  it  leaves  the  lips,  to  song  ! 
Hither  I  come 
From  my  fairy  home. 
And  if  there  's  a  magic  in  Music's  strain, 
I  swear  by  the  breath 
Of  that  moonlight  wreath. 
Thy  Lover  shall  sigh  at  thy  feet  again. 

For  mine  is  the  lay  that  lightly  floats, 
And  mine  are  the  murmuring,  dying  notes. 
That  foil  as  soft  as  snow  on  the  sea, 
And  melt  in  the  heart  as  instantly  :  — 
And  the  passionate  strain  that,  deeply  going. 

Refines  the  bosom  it  trembles  through, 
As  the  nuisk-wind,  over  the  water  blowing. 

Ruffles  the  wave,  but  sweetens  it  too. 

Mine  is  the  charm,  whose  mystic  sway 
The  Spirits  of  past  Delight  obey ;  — 
Let  but  the  tuneful  talisman  sound, 
And  they  come,  like  Genii,  hovering  round. 
And  mine  is  the  gentle  song  that  bears 

From  soul  to  soul,  the  wishes  of  love, 
As  a  bird,  that  wafts  through  genial  airs 

The  cinnamon-seed  from  grove  to  orove.^'' 


252  LALLA  ROOKH. 

'T  is  I  that  mingle  in  one  sweet  measure 

The  i^ast,  the  present,  and  future  of  jileasure  ;  ^*^ 

When  Memory  links  the  tone  that  is  gone 

With  the  blissful  tone  that's  still  in  the  ear; 
And  Hope  from  a  heavenly  note  flies  on 

To  a  note  more  heavenly  still  that  is  near. 

The  warrior's  heart,  when  touched  by  me. 

Can  as  downy  soft  and  as  yielding  be 

As  his  own  white  illume,  that  high  amid  death 

Through  the  field  has  shone  —  yet  moves  with  a 

breath ! 
And,  oh,  how  the  eyes  of  Beauty  glisten. 

When  Music  has  reached  her  inward  soul, 
Like  the  silent  stars,  that  wink  and  listen 
While  Heaven's  eternal  melodies  roll. 
So,  hither  I  come 
From  my  fairy  home, 
And  if  there  's  a  magic  in  IMusic's  strain, 
I  swear  by  the  breath 
Of  that  moonlight  wreath, 
Thy  Lover  shall  sigh  at  thy  feet  again. 


'T  is  dawn  —  at  least  that  earlier  dawn. 
Whose  glimpses  are  again  withdrawn,^^' 
As  if  the  morn  had  waked,  and  then 
Shut  close  her  lids  of  light  again. 
And  NouRMAHAL  is  up,  and  trying 

The  wonders  of  her  lute,  whose  strings  — 


THE  LIGHT   OF  THE  HAREM.  25c 

Oh,  bliss  !  —  now  murmur  like  the  sighing 

From  that  ambrosial  Spirit's  wings. 
And  then,  her  voice  —  't  is  more  than  human  — 

Never,  till  now,  had  it  been  given 
To  lips  of  any  mortal  woman 

To  utter  notes  so  fresh  from  heaven  ; 
Sweet  as  the  breath  of  angel  sighs, 

When  angel  sighs  are  most  divine. 
"  Oh  !  let  it  last  till  night,"  she  cries, 

"  And  he  is  more  than  ever  mine." 
And  hourly  she  renews  the  lay, 

So  fearful  lest  its  heavenly  sweetness 
Should,  ere  the  evening,  fade  away,  — 

For  things  so  heavenly  have  such  fleetness  ! 
But,  far  from  fading,  it  but  grows 
Richer,  diviner  as  it  flows  ; 
Till  rapt  she  dwells  on  every  string. 

And  pours  again  each  sound  along, 
Like  echo,  lost  and  languishing. 

In  love  with  her  own  wondrous  song. 

That  evening,  (trusting  that  his  soul 
Might  be  from  haunting  love  released 

By  mirth,  by  music,  and  the  bowl.) 
Th'  Imperial  SELi:\r  held  a  feast 

In  his  magnificent  Shalimar  :  ^^^ 

In  whose  Saloons,  when  the  first  star 

Of  evening  o'er  the  waters  trembled. 

The  Valley's  loveliest  all  assemble  d 

All  the  bright  creatures  that,  like  dreams, 

Glide  through  its  foliage,  and  drink  beams 


254  LALLA   ROOKH. 

Of  beauty  from  its  founts  and  streams  ;  ^^^ 
And  all  those  wandering  minstrel-maids, 
Who  leave  —  how  can  they  leave  ?  —  the  shades 
Of  that  dear  Valley,  and  are  found 

Singing  in  gardens  of  the  South  ^^'^ 
Those  songs,  that  ne'er  so  sweetly  sound 

As  from  a  young  Cashmerian's  mouth. 
There,  too,  the  Harem's  inmates  smile  :  — 

Maids  from  the  West,  with  sun-bright  hair, 
And  from  the  Garden  of  the  Nile, 

Delicate  as  the  roses  there  ;  —  ^^^ 
Daughters  of  Love  from  Cyprus'  rocks. 
With  Paphian  diamonds  in  their  locks  ;  —  ^'"^ 
Light  Peri  forms,  such  as  there  are 
On  the  gold  meads  of  Candahar  ;  ^^^ 
And  they,  before  whose  sleepy  eyes. 

In  their  own  bright  Kathaian  bowers. 
Sparkle  such  rainbow  butterflies, 

That  they  might  fancy  the  rich  flowers. 
That  round  them  in  the  sun  lay  sighing. 
Had  been  by  magic  all  set  flying.^^'' 

Everything  young,  everything  fair 

From  East  and  West  is  blushing  there,  . 

Except  —  except  —  O  Nourmahal  ! 

Thou  loveliest,  dearest  of  them  all. 

The  one,  whose  smile  shone  out  alone. 

Amidst  a  world  the  only  one  ; 

Whose  light,  among  so  many  lights. 

Was  like  that  star  on  starry  nights, 


THE   LIGHT    OF    THE   HAREM.  255 

The  seaman  singles  from  the  sky, 

To  steer  his  bark  forever  by  ! 

Thou  wert  not  there  —  so  Selim  thought, 

And  everything  seemed  di'ear  without  thee  ; 
But,  ah  !  thou  wert,  thou  wert,  —  and  brought 

Thy  charm  of  song  all  fresh  about  thee. 
Mingling  unnoticed  with  a  band 
Of  lutanists  from  many  a  land, 
And  veiled  by  such  a  mask  as  shades 
The  features  of  young  Arab  maids,  —  ^^^ 
A  mask  that  leaves  but  one  eye  free. 
To  do  its  best  in  witchery,  — 
She  roved,  with  beating  heart,  around. 

And  waited,  trembling,  for  the  minute, 
When  she  might  try  if  still  the  sound 

Of  her  loved  lute  had  magic  in  it. 

The  board  was  spread  with  fruits  and  wine  ; 
With  grapes  of  gold,  like  those  that  shine 
On  Casein's  hills  ;  ^^*  —  pomegranates  full 

Of  melting  sweetness,  and  the  pears, 
And  sunniest  apples  ^^^  that  Caubul 

In  all  its  thousand  gardens  ^^  bears  ;  — 
Plantains,  the  golden  and  the  green, 
Malaya's  nectared  mangusteen  ;  ^^^ 
Prunes  of  Bokara,  and  sweet  nuts 

From  the  far  groves  of  Samarcand, 
And  Basra  dates,  and  apricots. 

Seed  of  the  Sun,^^^  from  Iran's  land  ;  — 
With  rich  conserve  of  Visna  cherries,^''^ 


256  LALLA  ROOKH. 

Of  orange  flowers,  and  of  those  berries 
That,  wild  and  fresh,  the  young  gazelles 
Feed  on  in  Ekac's  rocky  dells.^®* 
All  these  in  richest  vases  smile, 

In  baskets  of  pure  santal-wood, 
And  urns  of  porcelain  from  that  isle  ^""^ 

Sunk  underneath  the  Indian  flood, 
Whence  oft  the  lucky  diver  brings. 
Vases  to  grace  the  halls  of  kings. 
Wines,  too,  of  every  clime  and  hue, 
Around  their  liquid  lustre  threw  ; 
Amber  RosoUi,^*^*^  —  the  bright  dew 
From  vineyards  of  the  Green  Sea  gushing  ;  *^^ 
And  SniRAZ  wine,  that  richly  ran 

As  if  that  jewel,  large  and  rare. 
The  ruby  for  which  Kubla.i-Khan 
Offered  a  city's  wealth,^''^  was  blushing 

Melted  within  the  goblets  there  ! 

And  amply  Selim  quaffs  of  each, 

And  seems  resolved  the  flood  shall  reach 

His  inward  heart,  —  shedding  around 

A  genial  deluge,  as  they  run. 
That  soon  shall  leave  no  spot  undrowned. 

For  Love  to  rest  his  wings  ujDon. 
He  little  knew  how  well  the  boy 

Can  float  upon  a  goblet's  streams, 
Lighting  them  with  his  smile  of  joy  ;  — 

As  bards  have  seen  him  in  their  dreams, 
Down  the  blue  Ganges  laughing  glide 


THE  LIGHT   OF   THE  HAREM.  257 

Upon  a  rosy  lotus- wreath,^''^ 
Catching  new  lustre  from  the  tide 

That  with  his  image  shone  beneath. 
But  what  are  cups,  without  the  aid 

Of  song  to  speed  them  as  they  flow  ? 
And  see  —  a  lovely  Georgian  maid, 

With  all  the  bloom,  the  freshened  glow 
Of  her  own  country  maidens'  looks, 
"When  warm  they  rise  from  Teflis'  brooks  ;  ^''^ 
And  with  an  eye,  whose  restless  ray, 

Full,  floating,  dark  —  oh,  he,  who  knows 
His  heart  is  weak,  of  Heaven  should  pray 

To  guard  him  from  such  eyes  as  those  !  — 
With  a  voluptuous  wildness  flings 
Her  snowy  hand  across  the  strings 
Of  a  syrinda,^''^  and  thus  sings  :  — 


Come  hither,  come  hither  —  by  night  and  by  day. 
We  linger  in  pleasures  that  never  are  gone  ; 

Like  the  waves  of  the  summer,  as  one  dies  away. 
Another  as  sweet  and  as  shining  comes  on. 

And  the  love  that  is  o'er,  in  expiring,  gives  birth 
To  a  new  one  as  warm,  as  unequall'd  in  bliss ; 

And,  oh  !  if  there  be  an  Elysium  on  earth. 
It  is  this,  it  is  this.^" 

Here  maidens  are  sighing,  and  fragrant  their  sigh 

As  the  flower  of  the  Amra  just  oped  by  a  bee ;  ^'^ 
And  precious  their  tears  as  that  rain  from  the  sky,^'^ 
17 


2o8  LALLA    ROOKII. 

Which  turns  into  jDearls  as  it  falls  in  the  sea. 
Oh !  think  what   the   kiss  and   the    smile  must  be 
worth 
When  the  sigh  and  the  tear  are  so  perfect  in  bliss, 
And  own  if  there  be  an  Elysium  on  earth, 
It  is  this,  it  is  this. 

Here  sj^arkles  the  nectar,  that,  hallowed  by  love, 
Could  draw  down  those  angels  of  old  from  their 
sphere, 
Who   for   wine    of  this    earth  ^''^  left   the  fountains 
above. 
And  forgot  heaven's  stars  for  the  eyes  we  have 
here. 
And,  blessed  with  the  odor  our  ofoblet  skives  forth, 

"\Miat  Spirit  the  sweets  of  his  Eden  would  miss  ? 
For,  oh  !  if  there  be  an  Elysium  on  earth, 
It  is  this,  it  is  this. 


The  Georgian's  song  was  scarcely  mute. 

When  the  same  measure,  soimd  for  soimd, 
Was  caught  up  by  another  lute, 

And  so  divinely  breathed  around, 
That  all  stood  hushed  and  wondering. 

And  turned  and  looked  into  the  air. 
As  if  they  thought  to  see  the  Aving 

Of  IsRAFii.,'^'^*'  the  Angel,  there  ;  — 
So  powerfully  on  every  soul 
That  new,  enchanted  measure  stole. 


THE  LIGHT   OF   THE   HAREM.  259 

While  now  a  voice,  sweet  as  the  note 
Of  the  charmed  hite,  was  heard  to  float 
Along  its  chords,  and  so  entwine 

Its  sounds  with  theirs,  that  none  knew  whether 
The  voice  or  lute  was  most  divine, 

So  wondrously  they  went  together  :  — 


There  's  a  bliss  beyond  all  that  the  minstrel  has  told, 
When  tAvo,  that  are  linked  in  one  heavenly  tie, 

With  heart  never  changing,  and  brow  never  cold, 
Love  on  through  all  ills,  and  love  on  till  they  die  ! 

One  hour  of  a  passion  so  sacred  is  worth 

Whole  ages  of  heartless  and  wandering  bliss  ; 

And,  oh  !  if  there  ho  an  Elysium  on  earth, 
It  is  this,  it  is  this. 


'T  was  not  the  air,  't  was  not  the  words, 
But  that  deep  magic  in  the  chords 
And  in  the  lips,  that  gave  such  power 
As  INIusic  knew  not  till  that  hour. 
At  once  a  hundred  voices  said, 
"  It  is  the  masked  Arabian  maid  !  " 
While  Skliai,  who  had  felt  the  strain 
Deepest  of  any,  and  had  lain 
Some  minutes  rapt,  as  in  a  trance. 

After  the  fairy  sounds  were  o'er. 
Too  inly  touched  for  utterance. 

Now  motioned  with  his  hand  for  more  :  — 


260  LALLA   ROOKH. 

Fly  to  the  desert,  fly  with  me, 
Our  Arab  tents  ai'e  rude  for  thee  ; 
But,  oh  !  the  choice  what  heart  can  doubt, 
Of  tents  with  love,  or  thrones  without  ? 

Our  rocks  are  rough,  but  smiling  there 
Th'  acacia  waves  her  yellow  hair, 
Lonely  and  sweet,  nor  loved  the  less 
For  flowering  in  a  wilderness. 

Our  sands  are  bare,  but  down  their  slope 
The  silvery-footed  antelope 
As  gracefidly  and  gayly  springs 
As  o'er  the  marble  courts  of  kings. 

Then  come  —  thy  Arab  maid  will  be 
The  loved  and  lone  acacia-tree,  — 
The  antelope,  whose  feet  shall  bless 
With  their  light  sound  thy  loneliness. 

Oh !  there  are  looks  and  tones  that  dart 
An  instant  sunshine  through  the  heart,  — 
As  if  the  soul  that  minute  caught 
Some  treasure  it  through  life  had  sought ; 

As  if  the  very  lips  and  eyes. 
Predestined  to  have  all  our  sighs, 
And  never  be  forgot  again, 
Sj^arkled  and  spoke  before  us  then  ! 


THE   LIGHT    OF   THE   HAREM.-  261 

So  came  thy  every  glance  and  tone, 
Wlien  first  on  me  they  breathed  and  shone ; 
New,  as  if  brought  from  other  spheres, 
Yet  welcome  as  if  loved  for  years. 

Then  fly  with  me,  —  if  thou  hast  known 
No  other  flame,  nor  falsely  thrown 
A  gem  away,  that  thou  hadst  sworn 
Should  ever  in  thy  heart  be  worn. 

Come,  if  the  love  thou  hast  for  me 
Is  pure  and  fresh  as  mine  for  thee,  — 
Fresh  as  the  fountain  under  ground. 
When  first  't  is  by  the  lapwing  found.^''"' 

But  if  for  me  thou  dost  forsake 
Some  other  maid,  and  rudely  break 
Her  worshipjjed  image  from  its  base. 
To  give  to  me  the  ruined  place  ;  — 

Then,  fare  thee  well  —  I  'd  rather  make 
My  bower  ujion  some  icy  lake 
When  thawing  suns  begin  to  shine. 
Than  trust  to  love  so  false  as  thine  ! 


There  was  a  pathos  in  this  lay. 

That,  e'en  without  enchantment's  art. 

Would  instantly  have  found  its  wa}- 
Deep  into  Sklim's  burning  heart ; 


262  LALLA   ROOKH. 

But,  breathing,  as  it  did,  a  tone 
To  eartlily  lutes  and  lips  unknown  ; 
With  every  chord  fresh  from  the  touch 
Of  Music's  Spirit,  —  't  was  too  much  ! 
Starting,  he  dashed  away  the  cup,  — 

Which,  all  the  time  of  this  sweet  air, 
His  hand  had  held,  untasted,  up, 

As  if  't  were  fixed  by  magic  there,  — 
And  naming  her,  so  long  unnamed, 
So  long  unseen,  wildly  exclaimed, 

"  O  NOURMAHAL  !    O  NOUKMAHAL  ! 

"  Hadst  thou  but  sung  this  witching  strain, 
"  I  could  forget  —  forgive  thee  all, 
"  And  never  leave  those  eyes  again." 

The  mask  is  off —  the  charm  is  wrought  — 
And  Selim  to  his  heart  has  caught. 
In  blushes,  more  than  ever  bright. 
His  NouRMAHAL,  his  Harem's  Light ! 
And  well  do  vanished  frowns  enhance 
The  charm  of  every  brightened  glance  ; 
And  dearer  seems  each  dawning  smile 
For  having  lost  its  light  awhile  : 
And,  happier  now  for  all  her  sighs, 

As  on  his  arm  her  head  rej^oses. 
She  whispers  him,  with  laughing  eyes, 

"  Remember,  love,  the  Feast  of  Roses  !  " 


Fadladeen,  at  the  conclusion  of  this  light  rhap- 
sody, took  occasion  to  sum  up  his  opinion  of  the 
young  Cashmerian's  poetry,  —  of  Avhich,  he  trusted, 
they  had  that  evening  heard  the  last.  Having  re- 
capitulated the  epithets,  "  frivolous  "  —  "  inharmo- 
nious "  —  •'  nonsensical,"  he  proceeded  to  say  that, 
viewing  it  in  the  most  favorable  light,  it  resembled 
one  of  those  Maldivian  boats,  to  which  the  Princess 
had  alluded  in  the  relation  of  her  dream,^''^  —  a 
slight,  gilded  thing,  sent  adrift  without  rudder  or 
ballast,  and  with  nothing  but  vapid  sweets  and  faded 
flowers  on  board.  The  profusion,  indeed,  of  flowers 
and  birds,  which  this  poet  had  ready  on  all  occa- 
sions, —  not  to  mention  dews,  gems,  etc.,  —  was  a 
most  oppressive  kind  of  opulence  to  his  hearers  ; 
and  had  the  imlucky  efft'ct  of  giving  to  his  style  all 
the  glitter  of  the  flower-garden  without  its  method, 
and  all  the  flutter  of  the  aviary  without  its  song.  In 
addition  to  this,  he  chose  his  subjects  badly,  and  was 
always  most  inspired  by  the  worst  parts  of  them. 
The  charms  of  paganism,  the  merits  of  rebellion,  — 
these  were  the  themes  honored  with  his  particular 
enthusiasm  ;  and,  in  the  poem  just  recited,  one  of 
his  most  palatable    passages   was  in   praise  of  that 


264  LALLA  ROOKH. 

beverage  of  the  Unfaithful,  wine  ;  —  "  being,  per- 
haps," said  he,  relaxing  into  a  smile,  as  conscious  of 
his  own  character  in  the  Harem  on  this  point,  "  one 
of  those  bards,  whose  fancy  owes  all  its  illumination 
to  the  grape,  like  that  painted  porcelain,^''^  so  curi- 
ous and  so  rare,  whose  images  are  only  visible  when 
liquor  is  poured  into  it."  Upon  the  whole,  it  was 
his  opinion,  from  the  sj^ecimens  which  they  had 
heard,  and  which,  he  begged  to  say,  were  the  most 
tiresome  part  of  the  journey,  that — whatever  other 
merits  this  well-dressed  young  gentleman  might  pos- 
sess —  poetry  was  by  no  means  his  proper  avocation  : 
"  and  indeed,"  concluded  the  critic,  "  from  his  fond- 
ness for  flowers  and  for  birds,  I  would  "venture  to 
suggest  that  a  florist  or  a  bird-catcher  is  a  much 
more  suitable  calling  for  him  than  a  jjoet." 

They  had  now  begun  to  ascend  those  barren 
mountains  which  separate  Cashmere  from  the  rest 
of  India ;  and,  as  the  heats  were  intolerable,  and  the 
time  of  their  encampments  limited  to  the  few  hours 
necessary  for  refreshment  and  repose,  there  was  an 
end  to  all  their  delightful  evenings,  and  Lalla 
RooKH  saw  no  more  of  Feramorz.  She  now  felt 
that  her  short  dream  of  happiness  was  over,  and 
that  she  had  nothing  but  the  recollection  of  its  few 
blissful  hours,  like  the  one  draught  of  sweet  water 
that  serves  the  camel  across  the  wilderness,  to  be 
her  heart's  refreshment  during  the  dreary  waste  of 
life  that  was  before  her.     The  blight  that  had  fallen 


LALLA   ROOKH.  265 

upon  her  spirits  soon  found  its  way  to  her  cheek, 
and  her  ladies  saw  with  regret  —  though  not  with- 
out some  suspicion  of  the  cause  —  that  the  beauty 
of  their  mistress,  of  which  they  were  ahnost  as 
proud  as  of  their  own,  was  fost  vanishing  away  at 
the  very  moment  of  all  when  she  had  most  need  of 
it.  What  must  the  King  of  Bucharia  feel,  when, 
instead  of  the  lively  and  beautiful  Lalla  Rookii, 
whom  the  poets  of  Delhi  had  described  as  more  per- 
fect than  the  divinest  images  in  the  house  of  Azor,^^** 
he  should  receive  a  pale  and  inanimate  victim,  upon 
whose  cheek  neither  health  nor  pleasure  bloomed, 
and  from  whose  eyes  Love  had  fled,  —  to  hide  him- 
self in  her  heart? 

If  anything  could  have  charmed  away  the  melan- 
choly of  her  spirits,  it  would  have  been  the  fresh  airs 
and  enchanting  scenery  of  that  Valley,  which  the 
Persians  so  justly  call  the  Unequalled.^^^  But 
neither  the  coolness  of  its  atmosphere,  so  luxurious 
after  toiling  up  those  bare  and  burning  mountains, 

—  neither  the  splendor  of  the  minarets  and  pagodas, 
that  shone  out  from  the  depth  of  its  woods,  nor  the 
grottos,  hermitages,  and  miraculous  fountains,^^^ 
which  make  every  spot  of  that  region  holy  ground, 

—  neither  the  countless  water-falls,  that  rush  into  the 
Valley  from  all  those  high  and  romantic  mountains 
that  encircle  it,  nor  the  fair  city  on  the  Lake,  whose 
houses,  roofed  with  flowers,^^^  appeared  at  a  distance 
like  one    vast   and    variegated    parterre  ;  —  not    all 


^^^^  LALLA  KOOKH. 

these  wonders  and  glories  of  the  most  lovely  coimtiy 
under  the  sun  could  steal  her  heart  for  a  minute 
from  those  sad  thoughts,  which  but  darkened,  and 
grew  bitterer  every  step  she  advanced. 

The   gay  pomps  and   processions  that   met    her 
upon  her  entrance  into  the  Valley,  and  the  magnifi- 
cence with  which  the  roads  all  along  were  decorlted, 
did  honor  to  the  taste  and  gallantry  of  the  young 
Kmg.     It  was  night  when  they  approached  the  cit;^ 
and,  for  the  last  two  miles,  they  had  passed  under 
arches,  thrown  from  hedge  to  hedge,  festooned  with 
only  those   rarest  roses  from  which  the  Attar  Gul, 
more  precious  than  gold,  is  distilled,  and  illuminated 
in  rich  and  fanciful  forms  with  lanterns  of  the  triple- 
colored  tortoise-shell  of  Pegu.^^^''     Sometimes,  from 
a  dark  wood  by  the  side  of  the  road,  a  display  of 
fireworks  would  break  out,  so  sudden  and  so  brill- 
iant, that  a  Brahmin    might  fancy  he    beheld  that 
grove,  in  whose  purple  shade  the  God  of  Battles  was 
born,  bursting  into  a  flame  at  the  moment  of  his. 
birth  ;  —  while,  at  other  times,  a  quick  and  playful 
irradiation  continued  to  brighten  all  the  fields  and 
gardens  by  which  they  passed,  foi-ming  a  line  of 
dancing  lights  along  the  horizon ;  like  the  meteors 
of  the   north  as  they  are   seen  by  those  hunters  ^ss 
who  pursue  the  white  and  blue  foxes  on  the  confines 
of  the  Icy  Sea. 

These  arches  and  fireworks  delighted  the  Ladies 


LALLA   ROOKII.  267 

of  the  Princess  exceedingly;  and,  with  their  usual 
good  logic,  they  deduced  from  his  taste  for  illumina- 
tions, that  the  King  of  Bucharia  would  make  the 
most  exemplary  husband  imaginable.  Nor,  indeed, 
could  Lalla  Eookii  herself  help  feeling  the  kind- 
ness and  splendor  with  which  the  young  bridegroom 
welcomed  her  ;  —  but  she  also  felt  how  painful  is  the 
gratitude,  which  kindness  from  those  we  cannot  love 
excites ;  and  that  their  best  blandishments  come 
over  the  heart  with  all  that  chilling  and  deadly 
sweetness,  which  we  can  fancy  in  the  cold,  odorifer- 
ous wind  ^^°  that  is  to  blow  over  this  earth  in  the  last 
days. 

The  marriage  was  fixed  for  the  morning  after  her 
arrival,  when  she  was,  for  the  first  time,  to  be  pre- 
sented to  the  monarch  in  that  Imperial  Palace  be- 
yond the  lake,  called  the  Shalimar.  Though  never 
before  had  a  night  of  more  wakeful  and  anxious 
thought  been  passed  in  the  Happy  Valley,  yet,  when 
she  rose  in  the  morning,  and  her  Ladies  came 
around  her,  to  assist  in  the  adjustment  of  the  bridal 
ornamenis,  they  thought  they  had  never  seen  her 
look  half  so  beautiful.  What  she  had  lost  of  the 
bloom  and  radiancy  of  her  charms  was  more  than 
made  up  by  that  intellectual  expression,  that  soul 
beaming  forth  from  the  eyes,  which  is  worth  all  the 
rest  of  loveliness.  When  they  had  tinged  her  fin- 
gers with  the  Henna  leaf,  and  placed  upon  her  brow 
a  small  coronet  of  jewels,  of  the  shape  worn  by  the 


268  LALLA   ROOKH. 

ancient  Queens  of  Bucharia,  tliey  flung  over  her 
head  the  rose-colored  bridal  veil,  and  she  proceeded 
to  the  barge  that  was  to  convey  her  across  the  lake ; 
—  first  kissing,  with  a  mournful  look,  the  little  amu- 
let of  cornelian,  which  her  father  at  parting  had 
hung  about  her  neck. 

The  morning  was  as  fresh  and  fair  as  the  maid 
on  whose  nuptials  it  rose,  and  the  shining  lake,  all 
covered  with  boats,  the  minstrels  playing  upon  the 
shores  of  the  islands,  and  the  crowded  summer-houses 
on  the  green  hills  around,  with  shawls  and  banners 
waving  from  their  roofs,  presented  such  a  picture  of 
animated  rejoicing,  as  only  she,  who  was  the  object 
of  it  all,  did  not  feel  with  transport.  To  Lalla 
RooKii  alone  it  was  a  melancholy  pageant ;  nor 
could  she  have  even  borne  to  look  upon  the  scene, 
were  it  not  for  a  hope  that,  among  the  crowds  around, 
she  might  once  more  perhaps  catch  a  glimpse  of 
Feramorz.  So  much  was  her  imagination  haunted 
by  this  thought,  that  there  was  scarcely  an  islet  or 
boat  she  passed  on  the  way,  at  which  her  heart  did 
not  flutter  with  the  momentary  fancy  that  he  was 
there.  Happy,  in  her  eyes,  the  humblest  slave  upon 
whom  the  light  of  his  dear  looks  fell !  —  In  the  barofe 
immediately  after  the  Princess  sat  Fadladken,  with 
his  silken  curtains  thrown  widely  apart,  that  all  might 
have  the  benefit  of  his  august  presence,  and  with  his 
head  full  of  the  speech  he  was  to  deliver  to  the  King, 
"  concerning  Fkramokz,  and  literature,  and  the 
Chabuk,  as  connected  therewith." 


LALLA   ROOKII.  269 

They  now  had  entered  the  canal  which  leads  from 
the  Lake  to  the  splendid  domes  and  saloons  of  the 
Shalimar,  and  went  gliding  on  through  the  gardens 
that  ascended  from  each  bank,  full  of  flowering 
shrubs  that  made  the  air  all  perfume  ;  while  from 
the  middle  oT  the  canal  rose  jets  of  water,  smooth 
and  unbroken,  to  such  a  dazzling  height,  that  they 
stood  like  tall  pillars  of  diamond  in  the  sunshine. 
After  sailing  under  the  arches  of  various  saloons, 
they  at  length  arrived  at  the  last  and  most  magnifi- 
cent, where  the  monarch  awaited  the  coming  of  his 
bride ;  and  such  was  the  agitation  of  her  heart  and 
frame,  that  it  was  with  difficulty  she  could  walk  up 
the  marble  steps,  which  were  covered  with  cloth  of 
gold  for  her  ascent  from  the  barge.  At  the  end  of 
the  hall  stood  two  thrones,  as  precious  as  the  Ceru- 
lean Throne  of  Coolburga,^^'^  on  one  of  which  sat 
Aliris,  the  youthful  King  of  Bucharia,  and  on  the 
other  was,  in  a  few  minutes,  to  be  placed  the  most 
beautiful  Princess  in  the  world.  Immediately  upon 
the  entrance  of  Lalla  Rookh  into  the  saloon,  the 
monarch  descended  from  his  throne  to  meet  her ; 
but  scarcely  had  he  time  to  take  her  hand  in  his, 
when  she  screamed  with  surprise,  and  fainted  at  his 
feet.  It  was  Fkramorz  himself  that  stood  before 
her !  —  Feramorz  was,  himself,  the  Sovereign  of 
Bucharia,  who  in  this  disguise  had  accompanied  his 
young  bride  from  Delhi,  and,  having  won  her  love  as 
an  humble  minstrel,  now  amply  deserved  to  enjoy  it 
as  a  Kin 2. 


270  LALLA   ROOKH. 

The  consternation  of  Fadladeex  at  this  discovery 
was,  for  the  moment,  ahiiost  pitiable.  But  change 
of  opinion  is  a  resource  too  convenient  in  courts  for 
this  experienced  courtier  not  to  have  learned  to  avail 
himself  of  it.  His  criticisms  were  all,  of  course,  re- 
canted instantly :  he  was  seized  with  an  admiration 
of  the  King's  verses,  as  unbounded  as,  he  begged 
him  to  believe,  it  was  disinterested  ;  and  the  following 
week  saw  him  in  possession  of  an  additional  place, 
swearing  by  all  the  Saints  of  Islam  that  never  had 
there  existed  so  great  a  poet  as  the  Monarch  Aliris, 
and,  moreover,  ready  to  prescribe  his  favorite  regi- 
men of  the  Chabuk  for  every  man,  woman,  and  child 
that  dared  to  think  otherwise. 

Of  the  happiness  of  the  King  and  Queen  of  Bu- 
charia,  after  such  a  beginning,  there  can  be  but  little 
doubt ;  and,  among  the  lesser  symjDtoms,  it  is  re- 
corded of  Lalla  Rookh,  that,  to  the  day  of  her 
death,  in  memory  of  their  delightful  journey,  she 
never  called  the  King  by  any  other  name  than 
Ferahorz. 


NOTES. 


Xote  1,  p.  17.  —  He  embarhed  for  Arabia.  —  These  particulars  of 
the  visit  of  the  King  of  Bucharia  to  Auriingzebe  are  found  in 
Dow's  History  of  Iliwhstan,  Vol.  III.  p.  .392. 

Note  2,  p.  17.  — Lalla  Rookh.  — Tulip  cheek. 

Note  3,  p.  17.  —  Leila.  — The  mistress  of  Mejnoun,  upon  -whose 
story  so  many  Eomances  in  all  the  languages  of  the  East  are 
founded. 

Note  4,  p.  17.  —  Shirine.  —  For  the  loves  of  this  celebrated  beauty 
with  Khosrou  and  with  Ferhad,  see  D' He7-beIot,  Gibbon,  Oriental 
Collections,  etc. 

Note  5,  p.  17.  —  Dewilde.  —  "  The  history  of  the  loves  of  Dewild^ 
and  Chizer,  the  son  of  the  Emperor  Alia,  is  ^vritten  in  an  elegant 
poem,  by  the  noble  Chusero." — Ferishta. 

Note  G,  p.  18.  —  Scatteriuff  of  the  Roses.  —  Gul  Reazee. 


Note  7,  p.  19.  —  Emperor^ s  favor.  —  "  One  mark  of  honor  or 
knighthood  bestowed  by  the  Emperor  is  the  permission  to  wear  a 
small  kettle-drum  at  the  bows  of  their  saddles,  which  at  tirst  was 
invented  for  the  training  of  hawks,  and  to  call  them  to  the  lure, 
and  is  worn  in  the  tleld  by  all  sportsmen  to  that  end."  —  Fryer's 
Traceh. 


272  NOTES. 

"Those  on  whom  the  King  has  conferred  the  privilege  must  wear 
an  ornament  of  jewels  on  the  right  side  of  the  turban,  surmounted 
by  a  high  plume  of  the  feathers  of  a  kind  of  egret.  This  bird  is 
found  only  in  Cashmere,  and  the  feathers  are  carefully  collected  for 
the  King,  who  bestows  them  on  his  nobles." — Elphinstone's  ^c- 
count  of  Caitbul. 

Note  8,  p.  19.  —  Keder  Khan.  —  "  Khedar  Khan,  the  Khakan, 
or  King  of  Turq-uestan  beyond  the  Gihon  (at  the  end  of  the  eleventh 
century),  whenever  he  appeai-ed  abroad,  was  preceded  by  seven 
hundred  horsemen  with  silver  battle-axes,  and  was  followed  by 
an  equal  number  bearing  maces  of  gold.  He  was  a  great  patron 
of  poetry,  and  it  was  he  who  used  to  preside  at  public  exercises  of 
genius,  with  four  basins  of  gold  and  silver  by  him  to  distribute 
among  the  poets  who  excelled."  —  Richardson's  Dissertation  ])re- 
Jixed  to  his  Dictionary. 

Note  9,  p.  19.  —  Gilt  pine  apples.  —  "  The  kubdeli,  a  large  golden 
knob,  generally  in  the  shape  of  a  pine-apple,  on  the  top  of  the  can- 
opj'  over  the  litter  or  palankeen."  —  Scott's  Notes  on  the  Baharda- 

nush. 

Note  10,  p.  19.  —  Sumptuous  litter.  —  In  the  Poem  of  ZoJiair,  in 
the  Moallakat,  there  is  the  following  lively  description  of  "  a  com- 
pany of  maidens  seated  on  camels:  "  — 

"  They  are  mounted  in  carriages  covered  with  costly  awnings, 
and  with  rose-colored  veils,  the  linings  of  which  have  the  hue  of 
crimson  Andem-wood. 

"  When  the}'  ascend  fi-om  the  bosom  of  the  vale,  they  sit  forward 
on  the  saddle-cloth,  with  every  mark  of  a  voluptuous  gayety. 

"  Now,  when  they  have  reached  the  brink  of  yon  blue  gushing 
rivulet,  they  tix  the  poles  of  their  tents  like  the  Arab  with  a  settled 


Note  11,  p.  19.  —  Argus pheasanVs  wing.  —  See  Bernier's  descrip- 
tion of  the  attendants  on  Kaucha-nara-Begum,  in  her  progress  to 
Cashmere. 

Note  12,  p.  20. —  Munijicent  protector.  —  This  hypocritical  Em- 


NOTES.  273 

peror  would  have  made  a  worthy  associate  of  certain  Holy  Leagues. 
"lie  held  the  cloak  of  religion,"  says  Dow,  "  between  his  actions 
and  the  vulgar;  and  impiously  thanked  the  Divinity  for  a  success 
which  he  owed  to  his  own  wickedness.  When  he  was  murdering 
and  persecuting  his  brothers  and  their  families,  he  was  building 
a  magniticent  mosque  at  Delhi,  as  an  offering  to  God  for  his  as- 
sistance to  him  in  the  civil  wars.  He  acted  as  High  Priest  at  the 
consecration  of  this  Temple;  and  made  a  practice  of  attending  di- 
vine service  there,  in  the  humble  dress  of  a  Fakeer.  But  when  he 
lifted  one  hand  to  the  Divinity',  he,  with  the  other,  signed  warrants 
fur  the  assassination  of  his  relations."  —  History  of  Ilindostan,  Vol. 
HI.  p.  335.  See  also  the  curious  letter  of  Aurungzebe,  given  in  the 
Oriental  Collections,  Vol.  I.  p.  320. 

Note  13,  p.  20.  —  The  idol  of  Jafjhernaid.  —  "  The  idol  at  Jag- 
hernat  has  two  fine  diamonds  for  eyes.  No  goldsmith  is  suffered 
to  enter  the  Pagoda,  one  having,  stole  one  of  these  eyes,  being  locked 
up  all  night  with  the  Idol."  —  Tavernier. 

Note  14,  p.  20.  —  Royal  Gardens  of  Delhi.  —  See  a  description 
of  these  royal  gardens  in  An  Account  of  the  jvesent  State  of 
Delhi,  by  Lieut.  W.  Franklin.  —  Asiat.  Research.    Vol.  IV.  p.  417. 

Note  15,  p.  20. — Lake  of  Pearl. — "In  the  neighborhood  is 
Notte  Gill,  or  the  Lake  of  Pearl,  which  receives  this  name  from 
its  pellucid  water." — Pennant's  Hindosian. 

"  Nasir  Jung  encamped  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Lake  of  Tonoor, 
amused  himself  with  sailing  on  that  clear  and  beautiful  water,  and 
gave  it  the  fanciful  name  of  ISIotee  Talali,  '  the  Lake  of  Pearls,' 
which  it  still  retains."  —  Wilks's  South  of  India. 

Note  16,  p.  20.  —  /s/e.s  of  the  West.  —  Sir  Thomas  Roe,  Ambas- 
sador from  James  I.  to  Jehan-Guire. 

Note  17,  p.  21.  —  -Ezra.  —  The  romance  Wemakweazra,  written 
in  Persian  verse,  which  contains  the  loves  of  Wamak  and  Ezra, 
two  celebrated  lovers  who  lived  before  the  time  of  Mahomet."  — 

Note  on  the  Oriental  Tales. 
18 


274  NOTES. 

Note  18,  p.  21.  —  RodaJiver.  —  Their  amour  is  recounted  in  the 
Shah-Namch  of  Ferdousi ;  and  there  is  much  beauty  in  the  passage 
which  describes  the  slaves  of  Rodahver  sitting  on  the  bank  of  the 
river  and  throwing  flowers  into  the  stream,  in  order  to  draw  the  at- 
tention of  the  young  Hero  who  is  encamped  on  the  opposite  side.  — 
See  Champion's  Translation. 

Note  19,  p.  21. —  While  Demon. — Rustam  is  the  Hercules  of 
the  Persians.  For  the  particulars  of  his  victor}'  over  the  Sepeed 
Deeve,  or  White  Demon,  see  Oriental  Collections,  Vol.  II.  p.  45. 
"  Near  the  city  of  Shirauz  is  an  immense  quadrangular  monument, 
in  commemoration  of  this  combat,  called  the  Kelaat-i-Deev  Sepeed, 
or  Castle  of  the  White  Giant,  which  Father  Angelo,  in  his  Gazo- 
philacium  Persicum,  p.  127,  declares  to  have  been  the  most  mem- 
orable monument  of  antiquity  which  he  had  seen  in  Persia."  — 
See  Ouseley's  Persian  Miscellanies. 

Note  20,  p.  21.  —  Golden  anklets.  —  "  The  women  of  the  Idol,  or 
dancing-girls  of  the  Pagoda,  have  little  golden  bells  fastened  to 
their  feet,  the  soft  hai-monious  tinkling  of  which  vibrates  in  unison 
with  the  exquisite  melody  of  their  voices."  —  Maurice's  Indian 
Antiquities. 

"  The  Arabian  courtesans,  like  the  Indian  women,  have  little 
golden  bells  fiistened  round  their  legs,  neck,  and  elbows,  to  the 
sound  of  which  they  dance  before  the  King.  The  Arabian  prin- 
cesses wear  golden  rings  on  their  fingers,  to  which  little  bells  are 
suspended,  as  well  as  in  the  flowing  tresses  of  their  hair,  that  their 
superior  rank  may  be  known,  and  they  themselves  receive  in  pass- 
ing the  homage  due  to  them."  —  See  Calmet's  Dictionary,  art. 
Bells. 

Note  21,  p.  22.  —  Delicious  opium.  —  "Abou-Tige,  ville  de  la 
Theba'ide,  oil  il  crolt  beaucoup  de  pavot  noii-,  dont  se  fait  le  meil- 
leur  opium."  — D'Herbelot. 

Note  22,  p.  22.  —  Chrishna.  —  The  Indian  Apollo.  —  "  He  and  the 
three  Ramas  are  described  as  youths  of  perfect  beauty ;  and  the 
princesses  of  Hindustan  were  all  passionately  in  love  with  Chrishna, 


NOTES.  275 

who  continues  to  this  hour  the  darling  God  of  the  Indian  women." 
—  Sir  W.  Jones,  on  the  Gods  of  Greece,  Italy,  and  India. 

Note  23,  p.  22.  —  Shawl-goats  of  Tibet.  — See  Turner's  Embassy 
for  a  description  of  this  animal,  "  the  most  beautiful  among  the 
whole  tribe  of  goats."  The  material  for  the  shawls  (which  is  car- 
ried to  Cashmere)  is  found  next  the  skin. 

Note  24,  p.  23.  —  Veiled  Prophet  of  Khorassan.  — For  tlie  real 
liistory  of  this  impostor,  whose  original  name  was  Hakem  ben  Has- 
chem,  and  who  was  called  JMocanna  from  the  veil  of  silver  gauze 
(or,  as  others  say,  golden)  which  he  always  wore,  see  D'Herbelot. 

Note  25,  p.  24.  —  Khorassan.  —  Khorassan  signifies,  in  the  old 
Persian  language,  Province  or  Region  of  the  Sun.  —  Sir  W.  Jones. 

Note  20,  p.  24.  —  Flow' rets  and  fruits,  blush  over  every  stream. 

"The  fruits  of  Meru  are  finer  than  those  of  any  other  place; 
and  one  cannot  see  in  any  other  city  such  palaces  with  groves,  and 
streams,  and  gardens."  —  Ebn  Haukal's  Geography. 

■    Note  27,  p.  24.  —  Among  Merou's  bright  palaces  and  groves. 
One  of  the  royal  cities  of  Khorassan. 

Note  28,  p.  24.  —  Moussa's.  —  Moses. 

Note  29,  p.  24.  —  C'e?- Moussa's  cheek,  tvhen  down  the  Mount  he 
trod. 

"  Ses  disciples  assuroient  qu'il  se  couvroit  le  visage,  pour  ne  pas 
cblouir  ceux  qui  I'approchoient  par  I'e^clat  de  son  visage  comme 
Moyse."  —  D'Herbelot. 

Note  30,  p.  2.5.  —  In  hatred  to  the  CnllpVs  hue  of  night. 
Black  was  the  color  adopted  by  the  Caliphs  of  the  House  of 
Abbas,  in  their  garments,  turbans,  and  standards.  —  "  II  fiiut  re- 
marquer  ici  touchant  les  habits  blancs  des  disciples  de  Hakem,  que 
la  couleur  des  habits,  des  coefFures  et  des  ^tendards  des  Khalifes 
Abassides  dtant  la  noire,  ce  chef  de  Rebelles  ne  pouvoit  pas  choisir 
une  qui  lui  fut  plus  opposde."  — D'Herbelot. 


276  NOTES. 

Note  31,  p.  25.  —  With  Javelins  of  the  light  Katliaian  reed. 
"  Our   dark   javelins,   exquisitely  wrought  of  Khathaian  reeds, 
slender  and  delicate."  — Poem  of  Amru. 

Note  32,  p.  25.  —  Filled  ivith  the  stems. 
Pichula,  used  anciently  for  arrows  by  the  Persians. 

Note  33,  p.  25.  —  That  bloom  on  Iran's  rivers. 
The  Persians  call  this  plant  Gaz.  The  celebrated  shaft  of 
Isfendiar,  one  of  their  ancient  heroes,  was  made  of  it.  —  "  Nothing 
can  be  more  beautiful  than  the  appearance  of  this  plant  in  flower 
during  the  rains  on  the  banks  of  the  rivers,  where  it  is  usually  in- 
terwoven with  a  lovely  twining  asclepias."  —  Sir  W.  Jones,  Botan- 
ical Observations  on  Select  Indian  Plants. 

Note  34,  p.  25.  —  Like  a  chenar-tree  grove  when  winter  thrmcs. 

The  Oriental  plane.  "  The  Chenar  is  a  delightful  tree ;  its 
bole  is  of  a  fine  white  and  smooth  bark;  and  its  foliage,  which 
grows  in  a  tuft  at  the  summit,  is  of  a  bright  green." — Morier's 
Travels. 

Note  35,  p.  26.  —  From  those  who  kneel  at  Brahma's  burning  founts. 
The  burning  fountains  of  Brahma  near  Chittogong,  esteemed  as 
holy.  —  Turner. 

Note  36,  p.  26.  —  To  the  small,  half-shut  glances  of  Katiiay.  — 
China. 

Note  37,  p.  26.  —  Like  tulip-beds  of  different  shape  and  dyes. 
"  The  name  of  tulip  is  said  to   be  of  Turkish  extraction,  and 
given  to  the  flower  on  account  of  its  resembling  a  turban."  —  Beck- 
mann's  History  of  Liventions. 

Note  38,  p.  27.  —  And  fur-bound  bonnet  of  Bucharian  shape. 
"  The  inhabitants  of  Bucharia  wear  a  round  cloth  bonnet,  shaped 
much  after  the  Polish  fashion,  having  a  large  fur  border.  They 
tie  their  kaftans  about  the  middle  with  a  girdle  of  a  kind  of  silk 
crape,  several  times  round  the  body." — Account  of  Independent 
Tartary,  in  Pinkertori's  Collection. 


NOTES.  277 

Note  39,  p.  27.  —  Overwhelmed  mjiyht  and  captive  to  the  GreeJc. 
In  the  war  of  the  Caliph  Mahadi  against  the  Empress  Irene,  for 
an  account  of  which  vide  Gibbon,  Vol.  X. 

Note  40,  p.  28. —  Thejlying  throne  of  star-taught  Souman. 
This  wonderful  Throne  was  called  The  Star  of  the  Genii.  For 
a  full  description  of  it,  see  the  Fragment,  translated  by  Captain 
Franklin,  from  a  Persian  MS.  entitled  "  The  History  of  Jerusalem." 
—  Oriental  Collections,  Vol.  I.  p.  235.  When  Soliman  travelled,  the 
eastern  writers  say,  "  He  had  a  carpet  of  green  silk  on  which  his 
throne  was  placed,  being  of  a  prodigious  length  and  breadth,  and 
sufficient  for  all  his  forces  to  stand  upon,  the  men  placing  them- 
selves on  his  right  hand,  and  the  spirits  on  his  left;  and  that  when 
all  were  in  order,  the  wind,  at  his  command,  took  up  the  carpet, 
and  transported  it,  with  all  that  were  upon  it,  wherever  he  pleased; 
the  army  of  birds  at  the  same  time  flying  over  their  heads,  and 
forming  a  kind  of  canopy  to  shade  them  from  the  sun."  —  Sale's 
Koran,  Vol.  II.  p.  214,  note. 

Note  41,  p.  28.  —  For  many  an  age,  in  every  chance  and  change. 
The   transmigration   of  souls   was  one  of  his  doctrines.  —  Vide 
D'Herbelot. 

Note  42,  p.  29.  —  To  ichich  all  Heaven,  except  the  Proud  One,  knelt. 
"  And  when  we  said  nnto  the  angels.  Worship  Adam,  they  all 
worshipped   except  Eblis  (Lucifer),  who  refused."  —  The  Koran, 
chap.  ii. 

Note  43,  p.  29.  —  In  Movssx's  frame,  —  and,  thence  descending, 
flowed.  —  Moses. 

Note  44,  p.  29.  —  Through  many  a  Prophet's  breast. 
This  is  according  to  D'Herbelot's  account  of  the  doctrines  of 
Mokanna :  "  Sa  doctrine  ^toit,  que  Dieu  avoit  pris  une  forme  et 
figure  humaine,  depui.s  qu'il  eut  comraandii  aux  Anges  d'adorer 
Adam,  le  premier  des  hommes.  Qu'aprfes  la  mort  d'Adam,  Dieu 
etoit  apparu  sous  la  figure  de  plusieurs  Froplietes,  et  autres  grands 
hommes  qu'il  avoit  choisis,  jusqu'a  ce  qu'il  prit  celle  d'Abu  Mos- 
lem, Prince  de  Khorassan,  lequel  professoit  I'erreur  de  la  Tenas- 


278  NOTES. 

sukhiah  ou  Metempschy chose ;  et  qu'apres  la  mort  de  ce  Prince,  la 
Divinity  etoit  passee,  et  descendue  en  sa  personue." 

Note  45,  p.  29.  —  In  IssA  shone.  —  Jesus. 

Note  4G,  p.  32.  —  Born  by  that  ancient  flood,  which  from  its  spring. 
The  Anioo,  which  rises  in  the  Belur  Tag,  or  Dark  Mountains, 
and  running  nearly'  from  east  to  west,  splits  into  two  branches; 
one  of  which  falls  into  the  Caspian  Sea,  and  the  other  into  Aral 
Nahr,  or  the  Lake  of  Eagles. 

Note  47,  p.  34. —  The  bulbul  utters,  ere  her  soul  dejmrt.  —  The 
Nightingale. 

Note  48,  p.  42.  —  In  holy  KooM,  or  Mecca's  dim  arcades. 
The  cities  of  Com  (or  Koom)  and  Cashan  are  full  of  mosques, 
mausoleums,  and  sepulchres  of  the  descendants  of  Ali,  the  Saints 
of  Persia.  — Chardin. 

Note  49,  p.  42.  —  Stood  Vases,  fllled  tvith  Kishmee's  golden  wine. 
An  island  in  the  Persian  Gulf,  celebrated  for  its  white  wine. 

Note  50,  p.  42. —  Lihe  Zemzem's  Spring  of  Holiness,  had  power. 
The  miraculous  well  at  Mecca;  so  called,  says  Sale,  from  the 
murmuring  of  its  waters. 

Note  51,  p  42.  —  JVliom  India  serves,  the  monkey  deity. 

The  god  Hannaman.  "  Apes  are  in  many  parts  of  India  highly 
venerated,  out  of  respect  to  the  god  Hannaman,  a  deity  partaking 
of  the  form  of  that  race."  — Pennant's  IJindoostan. 

See  a  curious  account  in  Stephen's  Persia,  of  a  solemn  embassy 
from  some  part  of  the  Indies  to  Goa,  when  the  Portuguese  were 
there,  offering  vast  treasures  for  the  recovery  of  a  monkey's  tooth 
which  they  held  in  great  veneration,  and  which  had  been  taken 
away  upon  the  conquest  of  the  kingdom  of  Jafanapatan. 

Note  52,  p.  42.  —  To  bend  in  worship,  Lucifer  was  right. 
This  resolution  of  Eblis  not  to  acknowledge  the  new  creature, 
man,  was,  according  to  Mahometan  tradition,  thus  adopted :  "  The 


NOTES.  279 

earth  (which  God  had  selected  for  the  materials  of  his  work)  was 
carried  into  Arabia  to  a  place  between  Mecca  and  Tayef,  where, 
being  first  kneaded  by  the  angels,  it  was  afterwards  fashioned  by 
God  himself  into  a  human  form,  and  left  to  dry  for  the  space  of 
forty  days,  or,  as  others  say,  as  many  3^ears;  the  angels,  in  the 
mean  time,  often  visiting  it,  and  Eblis  (then  one  of  the  angels 
nearest  to  God's  presence,  afterwaj'ds  the  devil)- among  the  rest; 
but  he,  not  contented  with  looking  at  it,  kicked  it  with  his  foot  till 
it  rung ;  and  knowing  God  designed  that  creature  to  be  his  supe- 
rior, took  a  secret  resolution  never  to  acknowledge  him  as  such."  — 
Sale  on  the  Koran. 

Note  53,  p.  43.  —  From  dead  meii's  marrow  (juidts  them  best  at 
niglit. 
A  kind  of  lantern  formerly  used  by  robbers,  called  the  Hand 
of  Glory,  the  candle  for  which  was  made  of  the  fat  of  a  dead  male- 
factor. This,  however,  was  rather  a  western  than  an  eastern  su- 
perstition. 

Note  54,  p.  44.  —  In  that  best  marble  of  which  gods  are  made. 
The  material  of  which  images  of  Gaudma  (the  Birman   Deity) 
are  made,  is  held  sacred.     "  Birmans  may  not  purchase  the  marble 
in  mass,  but  are  suffered,  and  indeed  encouraged,  to  buy  figures  of 
the  Deity  ready  made."  — Symes's  Ava,  Vol.  II.  p.  37G. 

Note  55,  p.  48.  —  Of  Kerzrah  flowers,  came  filled  with  pestilence. 
"  It  is  commonly  said  in  Persia,  that  if  a  man  breathe  in  the 
hot  south  wind,  which  in  June  or  July  passes   over  that  flower 
(the  Kerzereh),  it  will  kill  him."  —  Thevenot. 

Note  56,  p.  50.  —  Within  the  crocodile's  stretched  jaws  to  come. 

The  humming-bird  is  said  to  run  this  risk  for  the  purpose  of 
picking  the  crocodile's  teeth.  The  same  circumstance  is  related  of 
the  lapwing,  as  a  fact  to  which  he  was  witness,  by  Paul  Lucas,  Voij- 
agefait  en  1714. 

The  ancient  story  concerning  the  Trochilus,  or  humming-bird, 
entering  with  impunity  into  the  mouth  of  the  crocodile,  is  firmly 
believed  at  Java.  —  Barrow's  Cochin-  China. 


280  NOTES. 

Note  57,  p.  52.  —  Thai  ranh  and  venomous  food  on  ichkh  she  lives. 
"  Circum  easdem  ripas  (Nili,  viz.)  ales  est  Ibis.     Ea  serpentium 
populatur  ova,  gratissimamque  ex  his  escam  nidis  suis  refert."  — 
Solinus. 

Note  58,  p.  54.  —  Yamtcheou.  —  "The  feast  of  Lanterns  is  cele- 
brated at  Yamtcht'ou  with  more  magniflcence  than  anywhere  else; 
and  the  report  goes,  that  the  illuminations  there  are  so  splendid, 
that  an  Emperor  once,  not  daring  openly  to  leave  his  Court  to  go 
thither,  committed  himself  with  the  Queen  and  several  Princesses 
of  his  family  into  the  hands  of  a  magician,  who  promised  to  trans- 
port them  thither  in  a  trice.  He  made  them  in  tlie  night  to  ascend 
magnificent  thrones  that  were  borne  up  by  swans,  which  in  a  mo- 
ment arrived  at  Yamtcheou.  The  Emperor  saw  at  his  leisure  all 
the  .solemnity,  being  carried  upon  a  cloud  that  hovered  over  the 
city  and  descended  by  degrees;  and  came  back  again  with  the 
same  speed  and  equipage,  nobody  at  court  perceiving  his  absence." 
—  The  Present  State  of  China,  p.  15G. 

Note  59,  p.  54.  —  Sceneries  of  humboo-ioorlc.  —  See  a  description 
of  the  nuptials  of  Vizier  Alee  in  the  Asiatic  Annual  Register  of 
1804. 

Note  60,  p.  55.  —  Clnnese  illuminations.  —  "  The  vulgar  ascribe 
it  to  an  accident  that  happened  in  the  family  of  a  famous  manda- 
rin, whose  daughter  walking  one  evening  upon  the  shore  of  a  lake, 
fell  in  and  was  drowned;  this  atHicted  father,  with  his  family,  ran 
thither,  and,  the  better  to  find  her,  lie  caused  a  great  company  of 
lanterns  to  be  lighted.  All  the  inhabitants  of  the  place  thronged 
after  him  with  torches.  The  year  ensuing  they  made  fires  upon  the 
shores  the  same  da\';  they  continued  the  ceremony  every  year, 
every  one  lighted  his  lantern,  and  by  degrees  it  commenced  into 
a  custom."  —  Present  Slate  of  China. 

Note  61,  p.    57. — Like   Seba's    Queen   cotild   vanquish   with    that 
one. 

"Thou  hast  ravished  my  iieart  with  one  of  thine  eyes."  —  Sol, 
Song. 


NOTES.  281 

Note  62,  p.  57.  —  The  fingers'  ends  with  a  bright  roseate  hue. 
"  Thav  tingeil   the   ends  of  her  fingers  scarlet  with  Henna,  so 
tliat  they  resembled  branches  of  coral."  —  Story  of  Prince  Futtun 
in  Bahardanush. 

Note  63,  p.  57.  —  To  give  that  long,  darh  languish  to  the  eye. 

"  The  women  blacken  the  inside  of  their  eyelids  with  a  pow- 
der named  the  black  Kohol."  —  Russel. 

"  None  of  these  ladies,"  says  Shaw,  "  take  themselves  to  be  com- 
pletely dressed,  till  they  have  tinged  the  hair  and  edges  of  their 
eyelids  with  the  powder  of  lead  ore.  Now,-  as  this  operation  is  per- 
formed by  dipping  first  into  the  powder  a  small  wooden  bodkin  of 
tlie  thickness  of  a  quill,  and  then  drawing  it  afterwards  through  the 
eyelids  over  the  ball  of  the  eye,  we  shall  have  a  lively  image  of 
what  the  Prophet  (Jer.  iv.  30)  may  be  supposed  to  mean  by  rend- 
ing the  eyes  with  painting.  This  practice  is  no  doubt  of  gi;eat  an- 
tiquity ;  for  besides  the  instance  already  taken  notice  of,  we  find 
that  where  Jezebel  is  said  (2  Kings  ix.  30)  to  have  2}<iinted  her  face, 
the  original  words  are,  she  adjusted  her  eyes  with  thejjowder  of  lead 
ore.''''  — Shaw's  Travels. 

Note  64,  p.  57.  —  In  her  full  lap  the  Champac''s  leaves  of  gold. 

"  The  appearance  of  the  blossoms  of  the  gold-colored  Campac 
on  the  black  hair  of  the  Indian  women  has  supplied  the  Sanscrit 
poets  with  many  elegant  allusions."  —  See  Asiatic  Researches, 
Vol.  IV. 

Note  65,  p.  58.  —  The  sweet  Elcaya,  and  that  courteous  tree. 
A  tree  famous  for  its  perfume,  and   common  on  the  hills  of 
Yemen.  —  Niebuhr. 

Note  66,  p.  58.  —  Which  bows  to  all  who  seek  its  canopy. 
Of  the   genus  mimosa,   "  which  droops  its  branches  whenever 
any  person  approaches  it,  seeming  as  if  it  saluted  those  who  retire 
under  its  shade."  —  Niebuhr. 

Note  07,  p.  58.  —  The  bowers  of  Tibet,  send  forth  odorous  light. 
"  Cloves  are   a   principal   ingredient  in  the  composition  of  the 
perfumed  rods,  which  men  of  rank  keep  constantly  burning  in  their 
presence." — Turner's  Tibet. 


282  NOTES. 

Note  G8,  p.  59.  —  With  odoriferom  woods  of  Comorin. 
"  C'est  d'oii  vient  le  bois  d'alofes,  que  les  Arabes  appellent  Oud 
Comari,  et  celui  du  sandal,  qui  s'y  trouve  en  grande  quantity."  — 
D'Herbelot. 

Note  69,  p.  59.  —  The  crimson  blossoms  of  the  coral-tree. 
"  Thousands  of  variegated  loories  visit  the  coral-trees."  —  Bar- 
row. 

Note  70,  p.  59.  —  Mecca's  blue  sacred 2}igeon. 
"  In  Mecca  there   are   quantities  of  blue   pigeons,  which  none 
will  affright  or  abuse,  much  less  kill."  — Pitt's  Account  of  the  Ma- 
hometans. 

Note  71,  p.  59.  —  The  thrush  of  Hindostan. 
"  The  Pagoda   Thrush  is   esteemed   among  the  first  choristers 
of  India.    It  sits  perched  on  the  sacred  pagodas,  and  from  thence 
delivers  its  melodious  song."  —  Pennant's  Hindostan. 

Note  72,  p.  59.  —  About  the  gardens,  drunk  with  that  sweet  food. 

Tavernier  adds,  that  while  the  birds  of  Paradise  lie  in  this  in- 
toxicated state,  the  emmets  come  and  eat  off  their  legs ;  and  that 
hence  it  is  they  are  said  to  have  no  feet. 

Note  73,  p.  59.  —  Whose  scent  hath  lured  them  o'er  the  summer  flood. 
Birds  of  Paradise,  which,  at  the  nutmeg  season,  come  in  flights 
from  the  southern  isles  to  India;  and  "the  strength  of  the  nut- 
meg," says  Tavernier,  ''  so  intoxicates  them  that  they  fall  dead 
drunk  to  the  earth." 

Note  74,  p.  59.  —  Build  their  high  nests  of  budding  cinnamon. 
"  That  bird  which  liveth  in  Arabia,  and  buildeth  its  nest  with 
cinnamon."  —  Brown's  Vulgar  Errors. 

Note  75,  p.  GO.  —  Sleeping  in  light,  like  the  green  birds  that  dwell. 
"  The  spirits  of  the  martyrs  will  be  lodged  in  the  crops  of  green 
birds."  —  Gibbon,  Vol.  IX.  p.  421. 

Note  70,  p.  60.  —  More  like  the  luxuries  of  thai  impious  King. 
Shedad,  v.ho  made  the  delicious  gardens  of  Irini,  in  imitation 


NOTES.  283 

of  Paradise,  and  was  destroyed  by  lightning  the  first  time  he  at- 
tempted to  enter  them. 

Note  77,  p.  62.  —  In  its  blue  blossoms  hum  themselves  to  sleep. 
"  My  Pandits   assure   me  that  the  plant  before  us  (the  Nilica) 
is  their  Sephalica,  thus  named  because  the  bees  are  supposed  to 
sleep  on  its  blossoms."  —  Sir  W.  Jones. 

Note  78,  p.  G3.  —  As  they  ivere  captives  to  the  King  of  Flowers. 
"  They  deferred  it  till  the  King  of  Flowers  should  ascend  his 
throne  of  enamelled  foliage."  —  The  Bahardanush. 

Note  79,  p.  04.  —  But  a  light  golden  chain-ivork  rouml  her  hair. 

"  One  of  the  head-dresses  of  the  Persian  women  is  composed 
of  a  light  golden  chain-work,  set  with  small  pearls,  with  a  thin 
gold  plate  pendent,  about  the  bigness  of  a  crown-piece,  on  which 
is  impressed  an  Arabian  prayer,  and  which  hangs  upon  the  cheek 
below  the  ear."  —  Hanway's  Travels. 

Note  80,  p.  64.  —  Such  as  the  maids  of  Yezd  and  Shiras  wear. 

"  Certainly  the  women  of  Yezd  are  the  handsomest  women  in 
Persia.  The  proverb  is,  that  to  live  happy  a  man  must  have  a  wife 
of  Yezd,  eat  the  bread  of  Yezdecas,  and  drink  tlie  wine  of  Shiraz." 
—  Taveniier. 

Note  81,  p.  65.  —  Upon  a  musnud's  edge. 
Musnuds   are   cushioned  seats,  usually  reserved  for  persons  of 
distinction. 

Note  82,  p.  05.  —  In  the  pathetic  mode  of  Isfahan. 
The  Persians,  like  the  ancient  Greeks,  call  their  musical  modes 
or  Perdas  by  the  names   of  different  countries   or  cities,  as   the 
mode  of  Isfahan,  the  mode  of  Irak,  etc. 

Note  83,  p.  65.  —  Tlieix  's  a  bower  of  roses  by  Bendemeer's  stream. 
A  river  which  flows  near  the  ruins  of  Chilminar. 

Note  84,  p.  67.  —  The  hills  of  crystal  on  the  Caspian  shore. 
"To  the  north  of  us  (on  the  coast  of  the  Caspian,  near  Badku,) 


284  NOTES. 

was  a  mounfain,  which  sparkled  like  diamonds,  arising  from  the 
sea-glass  and  crystals  with  which  it  abounds." — Juurney  of  the 
Eiissian  Ambassador  to  Persia,  1746. 

Note  85,  p.  67. —  Of  Eden,  shahe  in  the  eternal  breeze. 
"  To  which  will  be  added  the  sound  of  the  bells,  hanging  on 
the  trees,  which  will  be  put  in  motion  by  the  wind  proceeding 
from  the  throne  of  God,  as  often  as  the  blessed  wish  for  music."  — 
Sale. 

Note  86,  p.  68.  —  And  his  floating  eyes  —  oh  !  they  resemble. 
"  Whose  wanton  eyes  resemble   blue  watei'-lilies,   agitated  by 
the  breeze."  — Jayadeva. 

J  Note  87,  p.  68.  — Blue  water-lilies. 

The  blue  lotus,  which  grows  in  Cashmere  and  in  Persia. 

Note  88,  p.  69.  —  To  muse  upon  the  pictures  that  hung  round. 
It  has  been  generally  supposed  that  the  Mahometans  prohibit 
all  pictures  of  animals;  but  Toderini  shows  that,  though  the  prac- 
tice is  forbidden  by  the  Koran,  they  are  not  more  averse  to  painted 
figures  and  images  than  other  people.  From  Mr.  Murphy's  work, 
too,  we  find  that  the  Arabs  of  Spain  had  no  objection  to  the  intro- 
duction of  figures  into  painting. 

Note  89,  p.  70.  —  Wliose  orb  when  half  retired  looks  loveliest. 
This  is  not  quite  astronomically  true.     "  Dr.  Hadley,"  sa^'S  Keil, 
"has  shown  that  Venus  is  brightest  when  she  is  about  forty  degrees 
removed  from  the  sun:  and  that  then  but  oidy  a  fourth  part  of  her 
lucid  disk  is  to  be  seen  from  the  earth." 

Note  90,  p.  70.  —  He  read  that  to  be  blest  is  to  be  wise. 

For  the  loves  of  King  Solomon  (who  was  supposed  to  preside 
over  the  whole  race  of  Genii)  with  Balkis,  the  Queen  of  Sheba,  oi 
Saba,  see  D'Herbelot,  and  the  Notes  on  the  Koran,  chap.  ii. 

"  In  the  palace  which  Solomon  ordered  to  be  built  against  the 
arrival  of  the  Queen  of  Saba,  the  tloor  or  pavement  was  of  trans- 
parent glass,  laid  over  running  water,  in  which  fish  were  swim- 
ming."    This  led  the  Queen  into  a  very  natural  mistake,  which 


NOTES.  285 

the  Koran  lias  not  thought  beneath  its  dignity  to  commemorate. 
"It  was  said  unto  her,  '  Enter  the  palace.'  And  when  she  saw  it 
she  imagined  it  to  be  a  great  water;  and  she  discovered  her  legs, 
by  lifting  up  her  robe  to  pass  through  it.  Whereupon  Solomon 
said  to  'her,  '  Verily,  this  is  the  place  evenly  floored  Avith  glass.'  " 
—  Chap.  27. 

Note  91,  p.  70.  —  Here  fond  Zuleika  woos  ivitlt  open  arms. 

The  wife  of  Potiphar,  thus  named  by  the  Orientals. 

"  The  passion  which  this  fi'ail  beauty  of  antiquity  conceived  for 
her  3'oung  Hebrew  slave  has  given  rise  to  a  much-esteemed  poem 
in  the  Persian  language,  entitled  Yusef  vau  Zdikha,  by  Nourcddin 
Janii;  the  manuscript  copy  of  which,  in  the  Bodleian  Library  at 
Oxford,  is  supposed  to  be  the  finest  in  the  whole  world."  —  Note 
upon  Nott's  Translation  of  Ilaftz.  • 

Note  92,  p.  70.  —  With  a  new  text  to  consecrate  their  love. 
The  particulai-s  of  Mahomet's  amour  with  Mary,  the  Coptic  girl, 
in  justification  of  which  he  added  a  new  chapter  to  the  Koran,  may 
be  found  in  Gagnier's  Notes  upon  Abulfeda,  p.  151. 

Note  93,  p.  71.  —  But  in  that  deep-blue,  melanehohj  dress. 
"  Deep  blue  is  their  mourning  color."  —  Ilanway. 

Note  94,  p.  72.  —  Sat  in  her  sorrow  like  the  sweet  nifjht-floiver. 

The  sorrowful  nyctanthes,  which  begins  to  spread  its  rich  odor 
after  sunset. 

Note  95,  p.  74.  —  As  the  viper  weaves  its  icily  covering. 
"  Concerning  the  viper.s,  which  Pliny  says  were  frequent  among 
the   balsam-trees,   I   made  very  particular  inquiry;   several  were 
brought  me  alive  both  to  Yambo  and  Jidda."  — Bruce. 

Note  96,  p.  80.  —  The  sunny  apples  of  Istlcahar.  —  '■  In  the  terri- 
toiy  of  Istkahar  there  is  a  kind  of  apple,  half  of  which  is  sweet, 
and  half  sour."  —  Ebn  Haukal. 

Note  97,  p.  80.  —  They  saw  a  young  Hindoo  girl  upon  the  hanlc.  — 
For  an  account  of  this  ceremony,  see  Grandpre's  Voyage  in  the 
Indian  Ocean. 


286  NOTES. 

Note  98,  p.  81. —  The  Okm-iala,  or  Sea  of  Stai-s.  —  "The  place 
where  the  Whangho,  a  river  of  Tibet,  rises,  and  where  there  are 
more  than  a  hundred  springs,  which  sparkle  like  stars;  whence 
it  is  called  Hotun-nor,  that  is,  the  Sea  of  Stars."  — Descriplion  of 
Tibet,  in  Pinkerton. 

Note  99,  p.  82.  —  Hath  sprun;!  vp  here. 

"  The  Lescar  or  Imperial  Camp  is  divided,  like  a  regular  town, 
into  squares,  alleys,  and  streets,  and  from  a  rising  ground  furnishes 
one  of  the  most  agreeable  prospects  in  the  world.  Starting  up  in 
a  few  hours  in  an  uninhabited  plain,  it  raises  the  idea  of  a  citj^  built 
by  enchantment.  Even  those  who  leave  their  houses  in  cities  to 
follow  the  prince  in  his  progress  are  frequently  so  charmed  by 
the  Lescar,  when  situated  in  a  beautiful  and  convenient  place, 
that  they  cannot  prevail  with  themselves  to  remove.  To  prevent 
this  inconvenience  to  the  court,  the  Emperor,  after  sufficient  time 
is  allowed  to  the  tradesmen  to  follow,  orders  them  to  be  burnt  out 
of  their  tents." — Dow's  Hiiidostan. 

Colonel  Wilks  gives  a  lively  picture  of  an  Eastern  encampment: 
—  "  His  camp,  like  that  of  most  Indian  armies,  exhibited  a  motley 
collection  of  covers  from  the  scorching  sun  and  dews  of  the  night, 
variegated  according  to  the  taste  or  means  of  each  individual,  by 
extensive  enclosures  of  colored  calico  surrounding  superb  suites 
of  tents;  by  ragged  cloths  or  blankets  stretched  over  sticks  or 
branches;  palm  leaves  hastily  spread  over  similar  supports;  hand- 
some tents  and  splendid  canopies;  horses,  oxen,  elephants,  and 
camels;  all  intermixed  without  any  exterior  mark  of  order  or 
design,  except  the  flags  of  the  chiefs,  which  usually  mark  the 
centres  of  a  congeries  of  these  masses;  the  only  regular  part  of 
the  encampment  being  the  streets  of  shops,  each  of  which  is  con- 
structed nearly  in  the  manner  of  a  booth  at  an  English  fair."  — 
Historical  Sketches  of  the  South  of  India. 

Note  100,  p.  82.  —  Built  the  high  pillared  halls  of  Chilminae. 

The  edifices  of  Chihninar  and  Balbec  are  supposed  to  have 
been  built  by  the  Genii,  acting  under  the  orders  of  Jan  ben  Jan, 
who  governed  the  world  long  before  the  time  of  Adam. 


NOTES.  287 

Note  101,  p.  82.  —  And  camels,  tufted  o'er  with  Yemen's  shells. 
"A  superb  camel,  ornamented  with  strings   and  tufts  of  small 
shells."  —  Ali  Bey. 

Note  102,  p.  82.  —  But  the  far  torrent,  or  the  loctist-bird. 
A  native   of  Khorassan,  and   allured  southward   by  means  of 
the  water  of  a  fountain  between  Shiraz  and  Ispahan,  called  the 
Fountain  of  Birds,  of  which  it  is  so  fond  that  it  will  follow  wherever 
that  water  is  carried. 

Note  103,  p.  82.  —  Of  laden  camels  and  their  drivers'  songs. 

"  Some  of  the  camels  have  bells  about  their  necks,  and  seme 
about  their  legs,  like  those  which  our  carriers  put  about  their  fore- 
horses'  necks,  which  together  witli  the  servants  (who  belong  to  the 
camels,  and  travel  on  foot),  singing  all  night,  make  a  pleasant 
noise,  and  the  journey  passes  away  delightfully."  —  Pitt's  Account 
of  the  Mahometans. 

"  The  camel-driver  follows  the  camels,  singing,  and  sometimes 
playing  upon  his  pipe;  the  louder  he  sings  and  pipes,  the  faster 
the  camels  go.  Nay,  they  will  stand  still  when  he  gives  over  his 
music."  —  Tavernicr. 

Note  104,  p.  8-3.  — Of  th'  Abyssinian  trumpet,  swell  and  float. 
"  This  trumpet  is  often  called,  in  Abj^ssinia,  nesser  cano,. which 
signifies  the  note  of  the  eagle."  —  Note  of  Bruce's  Editor. 

Note  105,  p.  83.  —  The  Night  and  Shadoic,  over  yonder  tent. 
The  two  black  standards  borne  before  the  Caliphs  of  the  House 
of  Abbas  were  called,  allegorically,  The  Night  and  The  Shadow. 
—  See  Gibbon. 

Note  106,  p.  83. — Defiance  fierce  at  Islam.  —  The  Mahometan 
religion. 

Note  107,  p.  83.  — But,  having  sworn  upon  the  Holy  Grave. 
"  The   Persians  swear  by  the   Tomb  of  Shah  Besade,   who   is 
buried  at  Casbin ;   and  when  one  desires  another  to  asseverate  a 
matter,  he  will  ask  him,  if  he  dare  swear  by  the  Holj-  Grave."  — 
Struy. 


288  NOTES. 

Note  108,  p.  84.  —  Were  spoiled  to  feed  the  Pihjrini's  luxury. 
Mahadi,  in   a  single  pilgrimage  to  Mecca,  expended  six  mil- 
lions of  dinars  of  gold. 

Note  109,  p.  84.  —  Of  Mecca's  sun,  lolth  urns  of  Persian  snoio. 
"  Nivem   Meccani   apportavit,   rem   ibi   aut   nuniiuam  aut  raro 
visam."  —  Abulfeda. 

Note  110,  p.  84.  —  First,  in  the  van,  the  People  of  the  Pock. 
The  inhabitants  of  Hejaz  or  Arabia  Petrsea,  called  by  au  Eastern 
•writer  "  The  People  of  the  Rock."  —  See  Ebn  Haukal. 

Note  111,  p.  84.  — On  their  U<jht  mountain  steeds,  of  royal  slock. 

"  Those  horses,  called  by  the  Arabians  Kochlani,  of  whom  a 
written  genealogy  has  been  kept  for  2000  j'ears.  They  are  said  to 
derive  their  origin  from  King  Solomon's  steeds."  —  Niebiihr. 

Note  112,  p.  84.  —  The  flashing  of  their  swords''  rich  marqueti-y. 

"  Many  of  the  figures  on  the  blades  of  their  swords  are  wrought 
in  gold  or  silver,  or  in  marquetry  with  small  gems."  —  Adat. 
Misc.  Vol.  I. 

Note  113,  p.  84.  —  With  dusJcy  legions  from  the  Land  of  Jlfyrrh. 
Azab  or  Saba. 

Note  114,  p.  84.  —  Waving  their  heron  crests  with  martial  grace. 
"  The  chiefs  of  the  Uzbek  Tartars  wear  a  plume  of  white  heron's 
feathers  in  their  turbans."  —  Account  of  Independent  Tartary. 

Note  115,  p.  85.  —  Wild  wai-riors  of  the  turqimise  hills. 
"  In  the  mountains  of  Nishapour  and  Tous  (in  Khorassan)  they 
find  turquoises."  — Ebn  Haukal. 

Note  116,  p.  85.  —  Of  Hindoo  Kosh,  in  stormy  freedom  bred. 
For  a  description  of  these  stupendous  ranges  of  mountains,  see 
Elphinstone's  Caubul. 

Note  117,  p.  85.  —  Her  Worshippers  of  Fire. 
The  Ghebers  or  Guebres,  those  original  natives  of  Persia,  who 


NOTES.  289 

ndhered  to  their  ancient  faith,  the  reh'gion  of  Zoroaster,  and  who, 
after  the  conquest  of  their  country  by  the  Arabs,  were  either  per- 
secuted at  home,  or  forced  to  become  wanderers  abroad. 

Note  118,  p.  85.  —  From  Yezo's  eternal  Mansion  of  the  Fire. 

"  Yezd,  the  chief  residence  of  those  ancient  natives,  who  worship 
the  Sun  and  the  Fire,  which  latter  they  have  carefully  kept 
lighted,  without  being  once  extinguished  for  a  moment,  about 
3000  years,  on  a  mountain  near  Yezd,  called  Ater  Quedah,  signify- 
ing the  House  or  Mansion  of  the  Fire.  He  is  reckoned  very  unfor- 
tunate who  dies  off  that  mountain."  —  Stephen's  Persia. 

Note  119,  p.  85.  —  That  burn  into  the  Casfiais,  Jierce  they  came. 
"  When  the  weather  is  haz}^,  the  springs  of  Naphtha  (on  an 
island  near  Baku)  boil  up  the  higher,  and  the  Naphtha  often  takes 
fire  on  the  surface  of  the  earth,  and  runs  in  a  flame  into  the  sea  to  a 
distance  almost  incredible."  —  Hanway  ojj  the  Everlasting  Fire  at 
Baku. 

Note  120,  p.  86.  — By  which  the  j^rosirate  Caravan  is  awed. 
Savarj"-  says  of  the  south  wind,  which  blows  in  Egypt  from 
February  to  May,  "  Sometimes  it  appears  only  in  the  shape  of  an 
impetuous  whirlwind,  which  passes  rapidly,  and  is  fatal  to  the  trav- 
eller, surprised  in  the  middle  of  the  deserts.  Torrents  of  burning 
sand  roll  before  it,  the  firmament  is  enveloped  in  a  thick  veil,  and 
the  sun  appears  of  the  color  of  blood.  Sometimes  whole  caravans 
are  buried  in  it." 

Note  121,  p.  86. —  The  Cliamjnons  of  the  Faith  through  Bedeu's 
vale. 
In  the  great  victory  gained  by  Mahomet  at  Beder,  he  was 
assisted,  say  the  Mussulmans,  by  three  thousand  angels,  led  by 
Gabriel,  mounted  on  his  horse  Hiazum.  —  See  The  Koran  and  its 
Commentators. 

Note  122,  p.  88.  —  ''Alia  Akbar  ! " 
The  Tecbir,  or  cry  of  the  Arabs.     "Alia  Acbar!  "    says  Ock- 
ley,  means,  "  God  is  most  mighty." 
19 


290  NOTES. 

Note  123,  p.  88.  — And  lujht  your  shrines  and  chcnnii  your  ziraleets. 
The  ziraleet  is  a  kind  of  chorus,  which  the  women  of  the  East 
sing  upon  joyful  occasions. — Russel. 

Note  124,  p.  88.  —  Or  ivarm  or  bi-ighten,  —  like  that  Syrian  Lake. 
The  Dead  Sea,  which  contains  neither  animal  nor  vegetable  life. 

Note  125,  p.  90.  —  O'er  his  lost  throne  —  tlien  passed  the  Jihon's 
Jlood. 
The  ancient  Oxus. 

Note  126,  p.  90.  —  Raised  the  tohite  banner  loitliin  Neksheb's  gates. 
A  city  of  Transoxiana. 

Note  127,  p.  90.  —  To-day'' s  young  flower  is  springing  in  its  stead. 

"  You  never  can  cast  your  eyes  on  this  tree,  but  you  meet 
there  either  blossoms  or  fruit;  and  as  the  blossom  drops  under- 
neatli  on  the  ground  (which  is  frequently  covered  with  these  pur- 
ple-colored flowers),  others  come  forth  in  their  stead,"  etc.,  etc. — 
Nieuhoff. 

Note  128,  p.  91.  —  With  which  the  JDives  have  gifted  him. 
The  Demons  of  the  Persian  mythology. 

Note  120,  p.  91.  —  TJiat  spangle  ItiTMA'sflelds  on  showery  nights. 
Carreri   mentions  the  fire-flies   in   India  during  the  rainy  sea- 
son. —  See  his  Travels. 

Note  130,  p.  91.  —  Who  brushed  the  thousands  of  tV  Assyrian  King. 

Sennacherib,  called  by  the  Orientals  King  of  jMoussal. — D'Her- 
belot. 

Note  131,  p.  92.—  Of  Parviz. 

Chosroes.  For  the  description  of  his  Throne  or  Palace,  see  Gib- 
bon and  D'Herbelot. 

There  were  said  to  be  under  this  Throne  or  Palace  of  Khosrou 
Parviz  a  hundred  vaults  filled  with  "  treasures  so  immense  that 
some  Mahometan  writers  tell  us,  their  Prophet,  to  encourage  his 
discii:)les,  carried  them  to  a  rock,  which  at  his  command  opened, 


NOTES.  291 

and  gave  them  a  prospect  through  it  of  the  treasures  of  Khosrou." 
—  Vninersal  History. 

Note  132,  p.  92.  —  And  the  heron  crest  that  shone. 
"The   crown  of  Gerashid  is  cloudy  and  tarnished  before  the 
heron  tuft  of  thy  turban."  —  From  one  of  the  elegies  or  songs  in 
praise  of  Ali,  written  in  characters  of  gold  round  the  gallery  of 
Abbas's  tomb.  —  See  Chardin. 

Note  133,  p.  92.  —  Magnificent,  o'er  Ali's  beauteous  eyes. 
The   beautj'^   of  All's   eyes  was  so  remarkable,  that  -whenever 
the  Persians  would  describe  anything  as  very  lovely,  they  say  it  is 
Ayn  Hali,  or  the  Eyes  of  Ali.  —  Chardin. 

Note  134,  p.  93.  —  Rise  from  the  Holy  Well,  and  cast  its  light. 
We  are  not  told  more  of  this  trick  of  the  Impostor,  than  that 
it  was  "  une  machine,  qu'il  disoit  etre  la  Lune."  According  to 
Richardson,  the  miracle  is  perpetuated  in  Nekscheb.  "  Nakshab, 
the  name  of  a  city  in  Transoxiana,  where  they-say  there  is  a  well, 
in  which  the  appearance  of  the  moon  is  to  be  seen  night  and  day." 

Note  135,  p.  93.  —  Rowiul  the  rich  city  and  the  plain  foi-  miles. 
"II  amusa  pendant  deux  mois  le  peuple  de  la  ville  de  Nekh- 
scheb,  en  faisant  sortir  toutes  les  nuits  du  fond  d'un  puits  un  corps 
lumineux  semblable  a  la  Lune,  qui  portoit  sa  lumifere  jusqu'a  la 
distance  de  plusieurs  milles."  —  D'Herbelot.  Hence  he  was  called 
Sazend^hmah,  or  the  Moon-maker. 

Note  136,  p.  93.  —  Had  rested  on  the  Arlc. 
The  Shechinah,  called  Sakinat  in  the  Koran.  —  See  Sale's  Note, 
chap.  ii. 

Note  137,  p.  93.  — Of  the  small  drum  ivit.h  ichich  they  count  the  night. 
The  parts   of  the  night  are   made   known   as  well  by  instru- 
ments of  music,  as  by  the  rounds  of  the  watchmen  with  cries  and' 
small  drums. —  See  Burder's  Oriental  Customs,  Vol.  I.  p.  119. 

Note  138,  p.  93.  —  On  for  the  lamps  that  light  yon  lofty  screen. 
The  Serrapurda,  high  screens  of  red  cloth,  stiffened  with  cane, 


292  NOTES. 

used  to  enclose  a  considerable  space  round  the  royal  tents.  — Notes 
on  the  Bdliardanush. 

The  tents  of  Princes  were  generally  illuminated.  Norden  tells 
us  that  the  tent  of  the  Bey  of  Girge  was  distinguished  from  the 
other  tents  by  forty  lanterns  being  suspended  before  it.  —  See 
Harmer's  Observations  on  Job. 

Note  139,  p.  94.  —  Pour  to  the  spot,  like  bees  of  Kauzekoon. 
"  From  the  groves  of  orange-trees  at  Kauzeroon  the  bees   cull 
a  celebrated  honey."  —  Morier's  Travels. 

Note  140,  p.  96.  — Of  nuptial  pomp,  she  sinJcs  into  Ms  tide. 
"  A  custom  still  subsisting  at  this  day,  seems  to  me  to  prove 
that  the  Eg^'ptians  formerly  sacrificed  a  young  virgin  to  the  God 
of  the  Nile ;  for  they  now  make  a  statue  of  earth  in  shape  of  a  girl, 
to  which  thej'  give  the  name  of  the  Betrothed  Bride,  and  throw  it 
into  the  river."  —  Savary. 

Note  141,  p.  96.  —  Engines  of  havoc  in,  unknown  before. 

That  they  knew  the  secret  of  the  Greek  fire  among  the 
^Mussulmans  early  in  the  eleventh  century,  appeal's  from  Dow's 
Account  of  Mainood  I.  "  When  he  arrived  at  Moultan,  finding 
that  the  country  of  the  Jits  was  defended  hy  great  rivers,  he  or- 
dered fifteen  bundred  boats  to  be  built,  each  of  which  he  armed 
with  six  iron  spikes,  projecting  from  their  prows  and  sides,  to  pre- 
vent their  being  boarded  by  the  enemy,  who  were  very  expert  in 
that  kind  of  war.  When  he  had  launched  this  fleet,  he  ordered 
twenty  archers  into  each  boat,  and  five  others  with  fire-balls,  to 
burn  the  craft  of  the  Jits,  and  naphtha  to  set  the  whole  river  on 
fire." 

The  agnee  aster,  too,  in  Indian  poems  the  Instrument  of  fire, 
whose  flame  cannot  be  extinguished,  is  supposed  to  signify  the 
Greek  fire.  —  See  Wilks's  South  of  India,  Vol.  I.  p.  471.  —  And  in 
the  curious  Javan  poem,  the  Brata  Yudha,  given  by  Sir  Stamford 
Raffles  in  his  History  of  Java,  we  find,  "  He  aimed  at  the  heart  of 
Soeta  with  the  sharp-pointed  Weapon  of  Fire." 

The  mention  of  gunpowder  as  in  use  among  the  Arabians,  long 
before  its  supposed  discovery  in  Europe,  is  introduced  by  Ebn 
Fadhl,  the  Egyptian  geographer,  who  lived  in  the  thirteenth  cen- 


NOTES.  293 

tury.  "  Bodies,"  he  says,  "  in  the  form  of  scorpions,  bound  round 
and  filled  with  nitrous  powder,  glide  along,  making  a  gentle 
noise;  then,  exploding,  they  lighten,  as  it  were,  and  burn.  But 
there  are  others  which,  cast  into  the  air,  stretch  along  like  a  cloud, 
roaring  horribly,  as  thunder  roars,  and  on  all  sides  A'omiting  out 
flames,  burst,  burn,  and  reduce  to  cinders  whatever  comes  in  their 
way."  The  historian  Ben  Abdalla,  in  speaking  of  the  sieges  of 
Abulualid,  in  the  year  of  the  Ilegira  712,  says,  "  A  fiery  globe,  by 
means  of  combustible  matter,  with  a  mighty  noise  suddenly  emitted, 
strikes  with  the  force  of  lightning,  and  shakes  the  citadel."  —  See 
the  extracts  from  Casiri's  Biblioth.  Arab.  Ilispan.  in  the  Appendix 
to  Berington's  Literary  History  of  the  Middle  Ages. 

Note  142,  p.  96.  —  And  horrible  as  new ;  — javelins,  thai  fly. 
The  Greek  fire,  which  was  occasionally  lent  by  the  emperors 
to  their  allies.  "  It  was,"  says  Gibbon,  "  either  launched  in  red- 
hot  balls  of  stone  and  iron,  or  darted  in  arrows  or  javelins, 
twisted  round  with  flax  and  tow,  which  had  deepl}^  imbibed  the 
inflammable  oil." 

Note  143,  p.  96.  —  Discharge,  as  from  a  kindled  Naphtha  fount. 
See  Hanway's  Account  of  the  Springs  of  Naphtha  at  Baku 
(which  is  called  by  Lieutenant  Pottinger  Joala  Mokee,  or,  the 
Flaming  Mouth)  taking  fire  and  running  into  the  sea.  Dr.  Cooke, 
in  his  Journal,  mentions  some  wells  in  Circassia,  strongly  impreg- 
nated with  this  inflammable  oil,  from  which  issues  boiling  water. 
"  Though  the  weather,"  he  adds,  "  was  now  ver^^  cold,  the  warmth 
of  these  wells  of  hot  water  produced  near  them  the  verdure  and 
flowers  of  spring." 

Major  Scott  Waring  says,  that  naphtha  is  used  by  the  Persians, 
as  we  are  told  it  was  in  hell,  for  lamps. 

"  many  a  row 

Of  starry  lamps  and  blazing  cressets,  fed 

With  naphtha  and  aspbaltus,  yielding  light 

As  from  a  sky." 

Note  144,  p.  96.  —  Like  those  luild  birds  that  by  the  Magians  oft. 
"  At  the  great  festival  of  fire,  called  the  Sheb  Seze,  they  used 
to  set  fire  to  large  bunches  of  dry  combustibles,  fastened   round 


294  NOTES. 

■wild  beasts  and  birds,  which  being  then  let  loose,  the  air  and  earth 
appeared  one  great  illiimiuation ;  and  as  these  terrified  creatures 
naturally  fled  to  the  woods  for  shelter,  it  is  easy  to  conceive  the 
conflagrations  they  produced."  —  Richardson's  Dissertation. 

Note  145,  p.  98. — Keep,  sealed  loith  precious  mush,  for  those  they 
love. 
"  The  righteous  shall  be  given  to  drink  of  pure  wine,  sealed ;  the 
seal  whereof  shall  be  musk."  — Koran,  chap.  Ixxxiii. 

Note  146,  p.  101.  — On  its  own  brood ;  —  no  Demon  of  the  Waste. 
"  The  Afghauns  believe  each  of  the  numerous  solitudes  and 
deserts  of  their  country  to  be  inhabited  by  a  lonelj-  demon,  whom 
they  call  the  Ghoolee  Beeabau,  or  Spirit  of  the  Waste.  Thej^  often 
illustrate  the  wildness  of  any  sequestered  tribe,  by  saying,  they  are 
wild  as  the  Demon  of  the  Waste."  —  Elphinstone's  Caubul. 

Note  147,  p.  103.  —  With  burning  drugs,  for  this  last  hour  distilled. 
"  II  donna  du  poison  dans  le  vin  a  tons  ses  gens,  et  se  jetta 
lui-meme  ensuite  dans  mie  cuve  pleine  de  drogues  brulantes  et 
consumantes,  afin  qu'il  ne  restat  rien  de  tous  les  membres  de  son 
corps,  et  que  ceux  qui  restoient  de  sa  secte  puissent  croire  qu'il 
^toit  mont^  au  ciel.  ce  qui  ne  manqua  pas  d'arriver."  —  D'Herbelot. 

Note  148,  p.  104.  —  /n  the  Lone  Cities  of  the  Silent  dwell. 
"  They  have  all  a  great  reverence  for  burial-grounds,  which 
thej-  sometimes  call  by  the  poetical  name  of  Cities  of  the  Silent, 
and  which  they  people  with  the  ghosts  of  the  departed,  who  sit 
each  at  the  head  of  his  own  grave,  invisible  to  mortal  eyes."  — 
Elphinstone. 

Note  149,  p.  109.  —  And  to  eat  any  mangoes  but  those  of  Mazagong 
was,  of  course,  impossible.  —  "  The  celebrity  of  Mazagong  is  owing 
to  its  mangoes,  which  are  certainly  the  best  fruit  I  ever  tasted. 
The  parent-tree,  from  which  all  those  of  this  species  have  been 
grafted,  is  honored  during  the  fruit-season  by  a  guard  of  sepoys; 
and,  in  the  reign  of  Shah  Jehan,  couriers  were  stationed  between 
Delhi  and  the  Mahratta  coast,  to  secure  an  abundant  and  fresh 
supply  of  mangoes  for  the  roval  table."  —  Mrs.  Graham's  Journal 
of  a  Residence  in  India. 


NOTES.  295 

Note  150,  p.  109.  —  Laden  with  las  fine  antique  j^orcelain.  —  This 
old  porcelain  is  found  in  digging,  and  "  if  it  is  esteemed,  it  is  not 
because  it  has  acquired  any  new  degree  of  beauty  in  the  earth, 
but  because  it  has  retained  its  ancient  beauty;  and  this  alone  is  of 
great  importance  in  China,  where  they  give  large  sums  for  the 
smallest  vessels  which  Avere  used  under  the  Emperors  Yan  and 
Chun,  who  reigned  many  ages  before  the  dynasty  of  Tang,  at 
which  time  porcelain  began  to  be  used  by  the  Emperors"  (about 
the  year  442).  —  Dunn's  Collection  of  Curious  Observations,  etc.; 
—  d  bad  translation  of  some  parts  of  the  Leftres  Edifiantes  et 
Curieuses  of  the  Missionary  Jesuits. 

Note  151,  p.  111.  —  And  if  Nasser,  the  Arabian  merchant,  told  no 
better.  —  "  La  lecture  de  ces  Fables  plaisoit  si  fort  aux  Arabes,  que, 
quand  Mahomet  les  entretenoit  de  I'llistoire  de  I'Ancien  Testa- 
ment, ils  les  m^prisoient,  lui  disant  que  celles  que  Nasser  leur 
racontoit  ^toient  beaucoup  plus  belles.  Cette  preference  attira  a 
Nasser  la  mak'diction  de  Mahomet  et  de  tous  ses  disciples."  — 
D'Herbelot. 

Note  152,  p.  111. — Like  the  blacksmith's  apron  converted  into  a 
banner.  —  The  blacksmith  Gao,  who  successfully  resisted  the  tyrant 
Zohak,  and  whose  apron  became  the  Royal  Standard  of  Persia. 

Note  153,  p.  113.  — That  sid)lime  bird,  which  flies  always  in  the  air, 
and  never  touches  the  earth.  —  "The  Huma,  a  bird  peculiar  to  the 
East.  It  is  supposed  to  fly  constantly  in  the  air,  and  never  touch 
the  gi'ound;  it  is  looked  upon  as  a  bird  of  happy  omen;  and  that 
every  head  itovershades  vrill  in  time  wear  a  crown." — Richardson. 

In  the  terms  of  alliance  made  by  Fuzzel  Oola  Khan  with  Hyder 
in  1760,  one  of  the  stipulations  was,  "  that  he  should  have  the  dis- 
tinction of  two  honorary  attendants  standing  behind  him,  holding 
fans  composed  of  the  feathers  of  the  Humma,  according  to  the  prac- 
tice of  his  family."  —  Wilks's  South  of  India.  He  adds  in  a  note: 
"  The  Humma  is  a  fabulous  bird.  The  head  over  which  its 
shadow  once  passes  will  assuredly  be  circled  with  a  crown.  The 
splendid  little  bird  suspended  over  the  throne  of  Tippoo  Sultaun, 
found  at  Seringapatara  in  1799,  was  intended  to  represent  this 
poetical  fancy." 


296  NOTES. 

Note  154,  p.  114.  —  Like  those  on  the  Written  Mountain,  last  for- 
ever.—  "To  the  pilgrims  to  Mount  Sinai  we  must  attribute  the  in- 
scriptions, figures,  etc.,  on  those  rocks,  which  have  from  thence 
acquired  the  name  of  the  Written  Mountain." — Volney.  M. 
Gebelin  and  others  have  been  at  much  pains  to  attach  some  mys- 
terious and  important  meaning  to  these  inscriptions;  but  Niebuhr, 
as  well  as  Volney,  thinks  that  they  must  have  been  executed  at 
idle  hours  by  the  travellers  to  Mount  Sinai,  "  who  were  satisfied 
with  cutting  the  unpolished  rock  with  any  pointed  instrument; 
adding  to  their  names  and  the  date  of  their  journeys  some  rude 
figures,  which  bespeak  tlie  hand  of  a  people  but  little  skilled  in 
the  arts."  —  Niebuhr. 

Note  15.5,  p.  114.  —  Like  the  Old  Man  of  the  Sea,  upon  his  back. 

—  The  Story  of  Sindbad. 

Note  15G,  p.  115.  —  To  which  Hafez  compares  his  mistress's  hair. 

—  See  Nott's  Ilnfez,  Ode  v. 

Note  157,  p.  115.  —  To  the  Cdmalatd,  hy  whose  rosy  blossotns  the 
heaven  of  Indra  is  scented.  —  "  The  Camalata  (called  by  Linnaeus, 
Ipomaea)  is  the  most  beautiful  of  its  order,  both  in  the  color  and 
form  of  its  leaves  and  flowers ;  its  elegant  blossoms  are  '  celestial 
rosy  red,  Love's  proper  hue,'  and  have  justly  procured  it  the  name 
of  Camalata,  or  Love's  Creeper."  —  Sir  W.  Jones. 

"  Camalata  may  also  mean  a  mythological  plant,  by  which  all 
desires  are  granted  to  such  as  inhabit  the  heaven  of  Indra;  and  if 
ever  flower  was  worthy  of  paradise,  it  is  our  charming  Ipomtea."  — 
Ibid. 

Note  158,  p.  115.  —  That  Floioer-loving  Nymph  whom  they  wor- 
ship in  the  temples  of  Kathay.  —  "  According  to  Father  Preniare,  in 
his  tract  on  Chinese  RIythology,  the  mother  of  Fo-hi  was  the 
daughter  of  heaven,  surnamed  Flower-loving;  and  as  the  nymph 
was  walking  alone  on  the  bank  of  a  river,  she  found  herself  en- 
circled by  a  rainbow,  after  which  she  became  pregnant,  and,  at 
the  end  of  twelve  years,  was  delivered  of  a  son  radiant  as  herself." 

—  Asiat.  Res. 


NOTES.  297 

Note  159,  p.  116.  —  With  its  jilane-tree  Isle  reflected  clear. 
"  Numerous  small  islands  emerge  from  the  Lake  of  Cashmere. 
One  is  called  Char <Jheiiaur,  from  the  plane-trees  upon  it."  —  Fos- 
ter. 

Note  160,  p.  117.  —  And  the  golden  floods  that  thitherward  stray. 

"  The  Altan  Kol,  or  Golden  River,  of  Tibet,  which  runs  into 
the  Lakes  of  Sing-su-ha3%  has  abundance  of  gold  in  its  sands, 
which  employs  the  inhabitants  all  the  summer  in  gathering  it."  — 
Descnjjtion  of  Tibet,  in  Plnkerton. 

Note  161,  p.  117.  —  Blooms  nowhere  but  in  Paradise. 
"  The  Brahmins  of  this  province  insist  that  the  blue  campac 
flowers  only  in  Paradise."  —  Sir  W.  Jones.  It  appears,  however, 
from  a  curious  letter  of  the  Sultan  of  Menangcabow,  given  by 
Marsden,  that  one  place  on  earth  may  la}'  claim  to  the  possession 
of  it.  "  This  is  the  Sultan,  who  keeps  the  flower  champaka  that 
is  blue,  and  to  be  found  in  no  other  country  but  his,  being  yellow 
elsewhere."  — Marsden's  Sumatra. 

Note  162,  p.  118.  —  Flung  at  nifjhtfroin  angel  hands. 
"  The  Mahometans  suppose  that  falling  stars  are  the  firebrands 
wherewith  the  good  angels  drive  away  the  bad,  when  they  apjHoach 
too  near  the  empyrean  or  verge  of  the  heavens."  —  Fryer. 

Note  163,  p.  118.  — Beneath  the  pillars  of  Chilminae. 
The  Forty  Pillars;  so  the  Persians  call  the  ruins  of  Persep- 
olis.  It  is  imagined  by  them  that  this  palace  and  the  edifices  at 
Balbec  were  built  \iv  Genii,  for  the  purpose  of  hiding  in  their  sub- 
terraneous caverns  immense  treasures,  which  still  remain  there.  — 
See  D'Herbelot  and  Volney. 

Note  164,  p.  118. — To  the  south  of  sun-hright  Arab>j. 

The  Isles  of  Panchaia. 

Diodorus  mentions  the  Isle  of  Panchaia,  to  the  south  of  Arabia 
Felix,  where  there  was  a  temple  of  Jupiter.  This  island,  or  rather 
cluster  of  isles,  has  disappeared;  "sunk,"  says  Grandpre,  "in  the 
abyss  made  by  the  fire  beneath  their  foundations."  —  Voyage  to  the 
Indian  Ocean. 


298  NOTES. 

Note  1G5,  p.  118.  —  The  jewelled  cup  of  their  King  Jamshid. 
"  The  cup  of  Jamshid,  discovered,  they  Bay,  when  digging  for 
the  foundations  of  Persepolis." — Kichardson. 

Note  16G,  p.  118.  —  O'ev  coral  rocks,  and  amber  beds. 
"  It  is  not  like  the  Sea  of  India,  whose  bottom  is  rich  with 
pearls  and  ambergris,  whose  mountains  of  the  coast  are  stored  with 
gold  and  precious  stones,  whose  gulfs  breed  creatures  that  yield 
ivory,  and  among  the  plants  of  whose  shores  are  ebony,  red -wood, 
and  the  wood  of  Hairzan,  aloes,  camphor,  cloves,  sandal-wood,  and 
all  other  spices  and  aromatics;  where  parrots  and  peacocks  are 
birds  of  the  forest,  and  musk  and  civet  are  collected  upon  the 
lands."  —  Travels  of  Two  Mohammedans. 

Note  1G7,  p.  119. —  Thy  Pagods  and  thy  pillared  shades. 

' '  in  the  ground 

The  bended  twigs  take  root,  and  daughters  grow 

About  the  mother-tree,  a  pillared  shade, 

High  over-arched,  and  echoing  walks  between." 

JIjlton. 

For  a  particular  description  and  plate  of  the  Banyan-tree,  see 
Cordiner's  Ceylon. 

Note  168,  p.  119.  —  Thy  Monarchs  and  their  thousand  Thrones. 

"  With  this  immense  treasure  Mahmood  returned  to  Ghizni,  and 
in  the  year  400  prepared  a  magnificent  festival,  where  he  dis- 
plaj'ed  to  the  people  his  wealth  in  golden  thrones  and  in  other 
ornaments,  in  a  great  plain  without  the  city  of  Ghizni." — Fe- 
rishia. 

Note  1G9,  p.  119.  —  ^  T  is  He  of  Gazna  — fierce  in  loratli. 
"Mahmood  of  Gazna,  or  Ghizni,  who  conquered  India  in  the 
beginning  of  the  11th  century."  —  See  his  History  in  Dow  and  Sir 
J.  Malcolm. 

Note  170,  p.  119.  —  Of  many  a  young  and  loved  Sultana. 
"It  is  reported  that  the  hunting  equipnge  of  the  Sultan  Mah- 
mood was  so  magnificent,  that  he  kept  400  greyhounds  and  blood- 


NOTES.  299 

hounds,  each  of  which  wore  a  collar  set  with  jewels,  and  a  cov- 
ering edged  with  gold  and  pearls."  —  Universal  Hislorij^  Vol.  III. 

Note  171,  p.  120.  —  For  Liberty  shed,  so  holy  is. 
Objections  may  be  made  to  my  use  of  the  word  Liberty  in 
this,  and  more  especially  in  the  story  that  follows  it,  as  totally 
inapplicable  to  any  state  of  things  that  has  ever  existed  in  the 
East;  but  though  I  cannot,  of  course,  mean  to  employ  it  in  that 
enlarged  and  noble  sense  which  is  so  well  understood  at  the  pres- 
ent day,  and,  I  grieve  to  say,  so  little  acted  upon,  yet  it  is  no  dis- 
paragement to  the  word  to  apply  it  to  that  national  independence, 
that  freedom  from'  the  interference  and  dictation  of  foreigners, 
without  which,  indeed,  no  liberty  of  any  kind  can  exist;  and  fbr 
which  both  Hindoos  and  Persians  fought  against  their  Mussulman 
invaders  with,  in  manj'  cases,  a  bravery  that  deserved  much  better 
success. 

Note  172,  p.  121.  —  Now  among  Afric's  lunar  Mountains. 

"  The  Mountains  of  the  Moon,  or  the  Montes  Lunae  of  antiq- 
uitj',  at  the  foot  of  which  the  Nile  is  supposed  to  rise."  —  Bruce. 

"Sometimes  called,"  saj's  Jackson,  "  Jibbel  Kunirie,  or  the 
white  or  lunar-colored  mountains;  so  a  white  horse  is  called  by  the 
Arabians  a  moon-colored  horse." 

Note  173,  p.  121.  — And  hail  the  nnc-born  Giant's  smile. 
"  The  Nile,  which  the  Abyssinians  know  by  the  names  of  Abey 
and  Alawy,  or  the  Giant."  —  Asiat.  Research.  Vol.  I.  p.  -387. 

Note  174,  p.  121.  —  Her  grots,  and  sejmlchrcs  of  Kings. 
See  Perry's   View  of  the  Levant  for  an  account  of  the  sepul- 
chres in  Upper  Thebes,  and  the  numberless  grots,  covered  all  over 
with  hieroglyphics,  in  the  mountains  of  Upper  Egj'pt. 

Note  175,  p.  121.  —  In  warm  Rosetta's  vale  —  now  loves. 
"  The  orchards  of  Eosetta  are  filled  with  turtle-doves."  —  Sou- 
nini. 

Note  176,  p.  122.  —  The  azure  calm  of  Mceris'  Lake. 
Savary  mentions  the  pelicans  upon  Lake  Moeris. 


800  NOTES. 

Note  177,  p.  122.  —  Warns  them  to  their  silken  beds. 
"  The  superb  date-tree,  whose  head  languidly  reclines,  like  that 
of  a  handsome  woman  overcome  with  sleep."  —  Dafard  el  Hadad. 

Note  178,  p.  122.  —  Some  puriAe-winged  Sultana  sitting. 
"  That  beautiful  bird,  with  plumage  of  the  finest  shining  blue, 
with  purple  beak  and  legs,  the  natural  and  living  ornament  of  the 
temples  and  palaces  of  the  Greeks  and  Romans,  which,  from  the 
stateliness  of  its  port,  as  well  as  the  brilliancy  of  its  colors,  has 
obtained  the  title  of  Sultana."  —  Sonnini. 

Note  179,  p.  123.  —  Only  the  fierce  hyena  stalks. 
Jackson,  speaking  of  the  plague  that  occurred  in  West  Barbary 
when  he  was  there,  says,  "  The  birds  of  the  air  fled  away  from  the 
abodes  of  men.     The  hyenas,  on  the  contrary,  visited  the  ceme- 
teries," etc. 

Note  180,  p.  123.  —  Throughout  the  city's  desolate  walks. 
"  Gondar  was  full  of  hyenas  from  the  time  it  turned  dark  till  the 
dawn  of  daj',  seeking  the  different  pieces  of  slaughtered  carcasses, 
which  this  cruel  and  unclean  people  expose  in  the  streets  without 
burial,  and  who  firmly  believe  that  these  animals  are  Falashta  from 
the  neighboring  mountains,  transformed  by  magic,  and  come  down 
to  eat  human  flesh  in  the  dark  in  safety."  —  Bruce. 

Note  181,  p.  123.  —  The  glaring  of  those  large  blue  eyes.  —  Bruce. 

Note  182,  p.  125.  —  But  see  —  who  yonder  comes  by  stealth. 
This  circumstance  has  been  often  introduced  into  poetry ;  —  by 
Vincentius  Fabric!  us,  by  Darwin,  and  lately,  with  very  powerful 
effect,  by  Mr.  Wilson. 

Note  183,  p.  127.  —  Who  sings  at  the  last  his  own  death-lay. 
"  In  the  East,  they  suppose  the  Phoenix  to  have  fifty  orifices  in 
his  bill,  which  are  continued  to  his  tail;  and  that,  after  living  one 
thousand  years,  he  builds  himself  a  funeral  pile,  sings  a  melodious 
air  of  difterent  harmonies  through  his  fifty  organ  pipes,  flaps  his 
wings  with  a  velocity  which  sets  fire  to  the  Avood,  and  consumes 
himself."  —  Richardson. 


NOTES.  301 

Note  184,  p.  128.  -     Their  frst  sweet  drauf/M  of  glory  take. 
"  On  the  shores  of  a  quadrangular  lake  stand  a  thousand  goblets, 
made  of  stars,  out  of  which  souls  predestined  to  enjoj'  felicity  drink 
the   crystal  wave."  —  From   Chateaubriand's   Description  of  the 
Mahometan  Paradise,  in  his  Beauties  of  Christianity. 

Note  185,  p.  128.  —  Now,  upon  Syria's  land  of  roses. 
Richardson  thinks  that  Sj'ria  had  its  name  from  Suri,  a  beautiful 
and  delicate  species  of  rose,  forwiiich  that  country  has  been  always 
famous;  — hence,  Suristan,  the  Land  of  Eoses. 

Note  186,  p.  129.  —  Gay  lizards,  glittering  on  the  loalls. 
"  The  number  of  lizards  I  saw  one  day  in  the  great  court  of  the 
Temple  of  the  Sun  at  Balbec  amounted  to  many  thousands;  the 
ground,  the  walls,  and  stones  of  the  ruined  buildings,  were  covered 
with  them."  —  Bruce. 

Note  187,  p.  129. —  Of  shepherd^s  ancient  reed. 
"The  Syrinx,  or  Pan's  pipe,  is  still  a  pastoral  instrument  iu 
Syria."  —  Russel. 

Note  188,  p.  129.  —  Of  the  wild  bees  of  Palestine. 
"  Wild  bees,  frequent  in  Palestine,  in  hollow  trunks  or  branches 
of  trees,  and  the  clefts  of  rocks.     Thus  it  is  said  (Psalm  Ixxxi.) 
^  honey  out  of  the  stony  roch.'  "  —  Burder's  Oriental  Customs. 

Note  189,  p.  129.  —  And  woods,  so  full  of  nightingales. 
"  The  river  Jordan  is  on  both  sides  beset  with  little,  thick,  and 
pleasant  woods,  among  which  thousands  of  nightingales  warble  all 
together."  —  Thevenot. 

Note  190,  p.  129.  —  On  that  great  Temple,  once  his  own. 
The  Temple  of  the  Sun  at  Balbec. 

Note  191,  p.  130.  —  The  beautiful  blue  damsel-flies. 
"You  behold  there  a  considerable  number  of  a  remarkable  spe- 
cies of  beautiful  insects,  the  elegance  of  whose  appearance   and 
their  attire  procured  for  them  the  name  of  Damsels."  —  Sonnini. 


302  NOTES. 

Note  192,  p.  130.  —  Of  a  small  imareVs  rvsiic  fount. 
Imaret,  "  hospice  oil  on  loge  et  nourrit,  gratis,  les  pt^lerins  pen- 
dant trois  jours."  —  Toderini,  translated  by  the  Abb^  de  Cournand. 
See  also  Castellan's  Maurs  des  Olhomaiis,  Tom.  V.  p.  145. 

Note  193,  p.  132.  —  Kneels,  with  his  forehead  to  the  south. 
"  Such  Turks  as  at  the  common  hours  of  praj-er  are  on  the  road, 
or  so  employed  as  not  to  find  convenience  to  attend  the  mosques, 
are  still  obliged  to  execute  that  duty;  nor  are  they  ever  known  to 
fail,  whatever  business  they  are  then  about,  but  pray  immediately 
when  the  hour  alarms  them,  whatever  they  are  about,  in  that  very 
place  they  chance  to  stand  on;  insomuch  that  when  a  janissary, 
whom  you  have  to  guard  you  up  and  down  the  city,  hears  the 
notice  which  is  given  him  from  the  steeples,  he  will  turn  about, 
stand  still,  and  beckon  with  his  hand,  to  tell  his  charge  he  must 
have  patience  for  a  while;  when,  taking  out  his  handkerchief,  he 
spreads  it  on  the  ground,  sits  cross-legged  thereupon,  and  says  his 
prayers,  though  in  the  open  Market,  which,  having  ended,  he  leaps 
briskly  up,  salutes  the  person  whom  he  undertook  to  convey,  and 
renews  his  journey  with  the  mild  expression  of  Ghell  gohnnum  ghell, 
or.  Come,  dear,  follow  me."  — Aaron  Hill's  Travels. 

Note  194,  p.  133. —  Ujwn  Egypt's  land,  of  so  healing  a  power. 

The  Nucta,  or  Miraculous  Drop,  which  falls  in  Egypt  precisely 
on  St.  John's  Daj^,  in  June,  and  is  supposed  to  have  the  effect  of 
stopping  the  plague. 

Note  195,  p.  134.  —  Are  the  diamond  turrets  of  Shadukiam. 
The  Country  of  Delight  —  the  name  of  a  province  in  the  king- 
dom of  Jinnistan,  or  Fairy  Land,  the  capital  of  which  is  called  the 
City  of  Jewels.     Amberabad  is  another  of  the  cities  of  Jinnistan. 

Note  196,  p.  134.  —  My  feast  is  now  of  the  Tooha  Tree. 
The  tree  Tooba,  that  stands  in  Paradise,  in  the  palace  of  Ma- 
homet.    See  Sale's  Prelim.  Disc.  —  Tooba,  says  D'Herbelot,  signi- 
fies beatitude,  or  eternal  happiness. 

Note  197,  p.  134.  —  To  the  hte-iree,  springing  by  Alla's  throne. 
Mahomet  is  described,  in  the  53d  chapter  of  the  Koran,  as  hav- 


NOTES.  303 

ing  seen  the  Angel  Gabriel  "  by  the  lote-tree,  beyond  which  there 
is  no  passing:  near  it  is  the  Garden  of  Eternal  Abode."  This  tree, 
say  the  commentators,  stands  in  the  seventh  Heaven,  on  the  right 
hand  of  the  Throne  of  God. 

Note  198,  p.  135. — As  ihelmmlred  and  twenty  thousand  Streams  of 
Basra.  —  "  It  is  said  that  the  rivers  or  streams  of  Basra  were  reck- 
oned in  the  time  of  Pelal  ben  Abi  Bordeh,  and  amounted  to  the  num- 
ber of  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  streams."  — Ebn  Haukal. 

Note  199,  p.  1-3G.  —  Tf7jo,  like  them,  flung  the  jereed  carelessly.  — 
The  name  of  the  javelin  with  which  the  Easterns  exercise.  See 
Castellan,  Maurs  des  Othomans,  Tom.  III.  p.  161. 

Note  200,  p.  130.  —  The  Banyan  Hospital.  —  "  This  account  ex- 
cited a  desire  of  visiting  the  Banyan  Hospital,  as  I  had  heard  much 
of  their  benevolence  to  all  kinds  of  animals  that  were  either  siclv, 
lame,  or  infirm,  through  age  or  accident.  On  mj'  arrival,  there 
were  presented  to  my  view  many  horses,  cows,  and  oxen,  in  one 
apartment;  in  another,  dogs,  sheep, goats,  and  monkeys,  with  clean 
straw  for  them  to  repose  on.  Above  stairs  were  depositories  for 
seeds  of  many  sorts,  and  flat,  broad  dishes  for  water,  for  the  use  of 
birds  and  insects."  —  Parson's  Travels. 

It  is  said  that  all  animals  know  the  Banyans,  that  tho  most  timid 
approach  them,  and  that  birds  will  fly  nearer  to  Ihem  tlian  to  other 
people.  —  See  Grandpr(J. 

Note  201,  p.  137. — Like  that  of  the  fragrant  grass  near  the 
Ganges.  —  "A  very  fragrant  grass  from  the  banks  of  the  Ganges, 
near  Heridwar,  which  in  some  places  covers  whole  acres,  and  dif- 
fuses, when  crushed,  a  strong  odor."  —  Sir  W.  Jones,  on  the  Spike- 
nard of  the  Ancients. 

Note  202,  p.  137.  —  No  one  had  ever  yet  reached  its  summit. — 
"  Near  this  is  a  curious  hill,  called  Koh  Talism,  the  ^Mountain  of  the 
Talisman,  because,  according  to  the  traditions  of  the  country,  no 
person  ever  succeeded  in  gaining  its  summit."  —  Kinncir. 

Note  203,  p.  138.  —  Is  icarmed  into  life  by  the  eyes  alone.  —  "  The 


304  NOTES. 

Arabians  believe  that  the  ostriches  hatcli  their  young  by  only  look- 
ing at  them."  — P.  A^anslebe,  Relat.  cVEyyi^te. 

Note  204,  p.  139.  — And  then  lost  them  again  forever.  —  See  Sale's 
Koran,  note,  Vol.  II.  p.  484. 

Note  205,  p.  139. —  While  the  artisans  in  chariots.  —  Oriental 
Tales. 

Note  206,  p.  140.  —  Who  hcpt  ivaving  over  their  heads  plates  of 
gold  and  silver  flowers.  —  Ferishia.  "  Or  rather,"  says  Scott,  upon 
the  passage  of  Ferishta  from  which  this  is  taken,  "  small  coins, 
stamped  with  the  figure  of  a  flower.  They  are  still  used  in  India 
to  distribute  in  charity,  and,  on  occasion,  thrown  by  the  purse- 
bearers  of  the  great  among  the  populace." 

Note  207,  p.  140.  —  Alley  of  trees.  —  The  fine  road  made  hj  the 
Emperor  Jehan-Guire  from  Agra  to  Lahore,  planted  with  trees  on 
each  side.  This  road  is  250  leagues  in  length.  It  has  "  little  pyra- 
mids, or  turrets,"  says  Fernier,  "  erected  every  half  league,  to  mark 
the  ways,  and  frequent  wells  to  afford  di'ink  to  passengers,  and  to 
water  the  young  trees." 

Note  208,  p.  142.  —  That  favorite  tree  of  the  luxurious  bird  that 
lights  up  the  channels  of  its  nest  with  fireflies.  —  The  Baya,  or  In- 
dian Gross-beak.  —  Sir  \V.  Jones. 

Note  209,  p.  142.  —  On  the  clear  cold  waters  of  which  floated  mid- 
titudes  of  the  beautiful  red  lotus.  — "  Here  is  a  large  pagoda  by  a 
tank,  on  the  water  of  which  float  multitudes  of  the  beautiful  red 
lotus;  the  flower  is  larger  than  that  of  the  white  water-lily,  and  is 
the  most  lovely  of  the  nymphteas  I  have  seen."  — Mrs.  Graham's 
Journal  of  a  Residence  in  India. 

Note  210,  p.  143.  —  Had  fled  hither  from  their  Arab  conquerors. 
—  "  On  les  voit  pers(f'cut(5s  par  les  Khalifes  se  retirer  dans  les  mon- 
tagnes  du  Kerman :  plusieurs  choisirent  pour  retraite  la  Tartaric  et 
la  Chine;  d'autres  s'arreterent  sur  les  bords  du  Gange,  a  Test  do 
Delhi."  —  M.  Anquetil,  Mcmoires  de  V Academie,  Tom.  XXXI.  p. 
346. 


NOTES.  305 

Note  211,  p.  143.  —  Like  their  own  Fire  in  the  Burning  Field  at 
Bahou.  —  The  "Ager  ardens  "  described  by  Ksempfer,  ^mtewiiai. 
Exot. 

Note  212,  p.  143. —  The  prey  of  strangers. — "Cashmere,"  say 
its  historians,  "  had  its  own  princes  4000  years  before  its  conquest 
by  Akbar  in  1585.  Akbar  would  have  found  some  difficulty  to  re- 
duce this  paradise  of  the  Indies,  situated  as  it  is  within  such  a  for- 
tress of  mountains,  but  its  monarch,  Yusef-Khan,  was  basely  be- 
trayed by  his  Omrahs."  — Pennant. 

Note  213,  p.  144.  —  Fire-worshippers.  —  Voltaire  tells  us  that  in 
his  Traged}',  "  Les  Guebres,"  he  was  generally  supposed  to  have 
alluded  to  the  Jansenists.  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  this  story 
of  the  Fire-worshippers  were  found  capable  of  a  similar  doubleness 
of  application. 

Note  214,  p.  145.  — ^Tis  moonlight  over  Oman's  sea. 

The  Persian  Gulf,  sometimes  so  called,  which  separates  the  shores 
of  Persia  and  Arabia. 

Note  215,  p.  145.  —  '  T'l's  moonlight  in  Harmozia's  walls. 
The  present  Gombaroon,  a  town  on  the  Persian  side  of  the  Gulf. 

Note  216,  p.  145.  —  Of  trumpet  and  the  clash  ofzel. 
A  Moorish  instrument  of  music. 

Note  217,  p.  145.  —  The  wind-totver  on  the  Emir's  dome. 
"  At  Gombaroon  and  other  places  in  Persia,  they  have  towers  for 
the  purpose  of  catching  the  wind,  and  cooling  the  houses."  —  Le 
Bruyn. 

Note  218,  p.  146.  —  His  race  hath  brought  on  Iran's  name. 
"  Iran  is  the  true  general  name  for  the  empire  of  Persia."  — 
Asiat.  Ees.  Disc.  5. 

Note  219,  p.  146.  — Engraven  on  his  reeJcing  sword. 
"  On  the  blades  of  their  scimitars  some  verse  from  the  Koran  is 
usually  inscribed."  —  Russel. 
20 


306       '  NOTES. 

Note  220,  p.  146.  —  Draw  venom  forth  that  drives  men  mad. 
"  There  is  a  kind  of  Rhododendros  about  Trebizond,  whose  flow- 
ers the  bee  feeds  upon,  and  the  honey  thence  drives  people  mad." 
—  Tournefort. 

Note  221,  p.  147. —  Z7/w«  the  turian  of  a  king. 
"  Their  kings  wear  plumes  of  black  herons'  feathers  upon  the 
right  side,  as  a  badge  of  sovereignty."  — Hanway. 

Note  222,  p.  148.  —  Springing  in  a  desolate  mountain. 
"  The  Fountain  of  Youth,  by  a  Mahometan  tradition,  is  situated 
m  some  dark  region  of  the  East."  —  Eichardson. 

Note  223,  p.  149.  — On  summer-eves,  through  Yemen's  dales. 
Arabia  Felix. 

Note  224,  p.  149.  —  Wlio,  lulled  in  cool  kiosk  or  bower. 
"  In  the  mid.st  of  the  garden  is  the  chiosk,  that  is,  a  large  room, 
commonly  beautified  with  a  fine  fountain  in  the  midst  of  it.  It  is 
raised  nine  or  ten  steps,  and  enclosed  with  gilded  lattices,  round 
which  vines,  jessamines,  and  honeysuckles,  make  a  sort  of  green 
wall;  large  trees  are  planted  round  this  place,  which  is  the  scene 
of  their  greatest  pleasures."  — Lady  M.  W.  Montague. 

Note  225,  p.  145.  — Before  their  mirrors  count  the  time. 
The  women  of  the  East  are  never  without  their  looking-glasses. 
"In  Barbary,"  says  Shaw,  "they  are  so  fond  of  their  looking- 
glasses,  which  they  hang  upon  their  breasts,  that  they  will  not  lay 
them  aside,  even  when  after  the  drudgery  of  the  day  they  are 
obliged  to  go  two  or  three  miles  with  a  pitcher  or  a  goat's  skin  to 
fetch  water."  —  Travels. 

In  other  parts  of  Asia  they  wear  little  looking-glasses  on  their 
thumbs.  "Hence  (and from  the  lotus  being  considered  the  emblem 
of  beauty)  is  the  meaning  of  the  following  mute  intercom-se  of  two 
lovers  before  their  parents :  — 

"  '  He,  with  salute  of  deference  due, 
A  lotus  to  his  forehead  prest ; 
She  raised  her  mirror  to  his  view, 

Then  turned  it  inward  to  her  breast.'  " 

Asiatic  Miscellany ,  Vol.  H. 


NOTES.  307 

Note  226,  p.  149.  —  Uijon  the  emeralcVs  virgin  blaze. 
"  They  say  that  if  a  snake  or  serpent  fix  his  eyes  on  the  lustre 
of  those   stones   (emeralds),   he    immediately  becomes   blind."  — 
Ahmed  ben  Abdalaziz,  Treatise  on  Jewels. , 

Note  227,  p.  150.  —  After  the  day-heam's  withering  fire. 
"  At  Gombaroon  and  the  Isle  of  Ormus  it  is  sometimes  so  hot 
that  the  people  are  obliged  to  lie  all  day  in  the  water." — Marco 
Polo. 

Note  228,  p.  151.  — Of  Araeat's  tremendous peah. 
This  mountain  is  generally  supposed  to  be  inaccessible.  Struy 
says,  "  I  can  well  assure  the  reader  that  their  opinion  is  not  true, 
who  suppose  this  mount  to  be  inaccessible."  He  adds,  that  "  the 
lower  part  of  the  mountain  is  cloudy,  misty,  and  dark;  the  middle- 
most part  very  cold,  and  like  clouds  of  snow,  but  the  upper  regions 
perfectly  calm."  It  was  on  this  mountain  that  the  Ark  was  sup- 
posed to  have  rested  after  the  Deluge,  and  part  of  it,  they  say,  ex- 
ists there  still,  which  Struy  thus  gravely  accounts  for:  "Whereas 
none  can  remember  that  the  air  on  the  top  of  the  hill  did  ever 
change  or  was  subject  either  to  wind  or  rain,  which  is  presumed  to 
be  the  reason  that  the  Ark  has  endured  so  long  without  being  rot- 
ten." —  See  Carreri's  Travels,  where  the  Doctor  laughs  at  this 
■whole  account  of  Mount  Ararat. 

Note  229,  p.  151. —  The  hridegroom,  with  his  locks  of  light. 
In  one  of  the  books  of  the  Shah  Nameh,  when  Zal  (a  celebrated 
hero  of  Persia,  remarkable  for  his  white  hair),  comes  to  the  terrace 
of  his  misti'ess  Rodahver  at  night,  she  lets  down  her  long  tresses  to 
assist  him  in  his  ascent ;  —  he,  however,  manages  it  in  a  less  ro- 
mantic? way,  hj  fixing  his  crook  in  a  projecting  beam.  —  See  Cham- 
pion's Ferdosi. 

Note  230,  p.  152. —  The  rock-goats  o/"  Arabia  clamher. 
"  On  the  lofty  hills  of  Arabia  Petrsea  are  rock-goats."  —  Niebuhr. 

Note  231,  p.  152.  —  Some  ditty  to  her  soft  Kanoon. 
"Canun,  espfece  de  psaltdrion,  avec  des  cordes  de  boyaux;  les 
dames  en  touchent  dans  le  s^rail,  avec  des  ^cailles  armies  de  pointes 
de  cooc."  — Toderini,  translated  by  De  Cournand. 


808  NOTES. 

Note  232,  p.  157.  —  The  Gheber  belt  that  round  him  clung. 
"They  (the  Ghebers)  lay  so  much  stress  on  their  cushee  or  gir- 
dle, as  not  to  dare  to  be  an  instant  Avithout  it."  —  Grose's  Voyage, 

—  "  Le  jeune  honime  nia  d'abord  la  chose ;  mais,  ayant  et(5  df'pouill^ 
de  sa  robe,  et  la  large  ceinture  qu'il  portoit  conime  Ghebr,"  etc.,  etc. 

—  D'Herbelot,  art.  Agduani.  "Pour  se  distinguer  des  Idolatres  de 
I'Inde,  les  Gufebres  se  ceignent  tons  d'un  cordon  de  laiue,  ou  de 
poil  de  chameau."  — Enci/clopedie  Frangohe. 

D'Herbelot  says  this  belt  was  generally  of  leather. 

Note  2.3-3,  p.  1.57.  —  Among  the  living  lights  of  heaven. 
"  They  suppose  the  Throne  of  the  Almighty  is  seated  in  the  sun, 
and  hence  their  worship  of  that  luminarj^" — Hanwaj'.  "As  to 
fire,  the  Ghebers  place  the  spring-head  of  it  in  that  globe  of  fire 
the  Sun,  by  them  called  Mj'thras,  or  Mihir,  to  which  they  pay  the 
highest  reverence,  in  gratitude  for  the  manifold  benefits  flowing 
from  its  ministerial  omniscience.  But  they  are  so  far  from  con- 
founding the  subordination  of  the  Servant  with  the  majesty  of  its 
Creator,  that  they  not  only  attribute  no  sort  of  sense  or  reasoning 
to  the  sun  or  fire,  in  any  of  its  operations,  but  consider  it  as  a 
purely  passive  blind  instrument,  directed  and  governed  by  the  im- 
mediate impression  on  it  of  the  will  of  God ;  but  they  do  not  even 
give  that  luminary,  all-glorious  as  it  is,  more  than  the  second  rank 
amongst  his  works,  reserving  the  first  for  that  stupendous  produc- 
tion of  divine  power,  the  mind  of  man."  —  Grose.  The  false 
charges  brought  against  the  religion  of  these  people  by  their  Mus- 
sulman tyrants  is  but  one  proof  among  many  of  the  truth  of  this 
writer's  remark,  that  "  calumny  is  often  added  to  oppression,  if  but 
for  the  sake  of  justifying  it." 

Note  234,  p.  159.  —  Andjiery  darts,  at  intervals. 
"  The  Mameluks  that  were  in  the  other  boat,  wheu  it  was  dark, 
used  to  shoot  up  a  sort  of  fiery  arrows  into  the  air,  which  in  some 
measure  resembled  lightning  or  falling  stars."  — Baumgarten. 

Note  235,  p.  161.  —  Which  groros  over  the  tomb  of  the  musician, 
Tan-Sein.  —  "Within  the  enclosure  which  surrounds  this  monu- 
ment (at  Gualior)  is  a  small  tomb  to  the  memory  of  Tan-Sein,  a 
musician  of  incomparable  skill,  who  flourished  at  the  court  of  Ak- 


NOTES.  809 

bar.  The  tomb  is  overshadowed  by  a  tree,  concerning  which  a 
superstitious  notion  prevails,  that  the  chewing  of  its  leaves  will 
give  an  extraordinary  melody  to  the  voice."  —  Narrative  of  a 
Journey  from  Af/ra  to  Ouzein,  by  W.  Hunter,  Esq. 

Note  2.36,  p.  161.  —  The  auful  sifjnal  of  the  bamboo  staff.  —  "  It  is 
usual  to  place  a  small  white  triangular  tiag,  tixed  to  a  bamboo  statF 
of  ten  or  twelve  feet  long,  at  the  place  where  a  tiger  has  destroyed 
a  man.  It  is  common  for  the  passengers  also  to  throw  each  a  stone 
or  brick  near  the  spot,  so  that  in  the  course  of  a  little  time  a  pile 
equal  to  a  good  wagon-load  is  collected.  The  sight  of  these  flags 
and  piles  of  stones  imparts  a  certain  melancholy,  not  perhaps 
altogether  void  of  apprehension."  — Oriental  Field  SpoiHs,  Vol.  II. 

Note  237,  p.  161.  —  Ornamented  with  the  most  beautiful  porcelain. 
—  "  The  Ficus  Indiea  is  called  the  Pagod  Tree  and  Tree  of  Coun- 
cils; the  first,  from  the  idols  placed  under  its  shade;  the  second, 
because  meetings  were  held  under  its  cool  branches.  In  some 
places  it  is  believed  to  be  the  haunt  of  spectres,  as  the  ancient 
spreading  oaks  of  Wales  have  been  of  fairies;  in  others  are  erected 
beneath  the  shade  pillars  of  stone,  or  posts,  elegantly  carved,  and 
ornamented  with  the  most  beautiful  porcelain  to  supply  the  use  of 
mirrors."  —  Pennant. 

Note  238,  p.  163.  —  And  o'er  the  Green  Sea  palely  shines. 
The  Persian  Gulf.  — "  To  dive  for  pearls  in  the  Green  Sea,  or 
Persian  Gulf."  —  Sir  W.  Jones. 

Note  239,  p.  163.  — Revealing  Bahrein's  groves  of  palm, 
And  lighting  Kishma's  amber  vines. 
Islands  in  the  Gulf. 

Note  240,  p.  163.  —  Blow  round  Selama's  sainted  cape. 
Or  Selemeh,  the  genuine  name  of  the  headland  at  the  entrance 
of  the  Gulf,  commonly  called  Cape   Musseldom.     "  The   Indians, 
when  they  pass  the  promontory,  throw  cocoa-nuts,  fruits,  or  flowers, 
into  the  sea,  to  secure  a  propitious  voyage."  — Morier. 


310  NOTES. 

Note  241,  p.  163. —  The  nightingale  now  bends  her  flight. 
"The  nightingale  sings  from  the  pomegranate  groves  in  the  day- 
time, and  from  the  loftiest  trees  at  night."  —  Russel's  Aleppo. 

Note  242,  p.  163.  —  The  best  and  brightest  scimitar. 
In  speaking  of  the  climate  of  Shiraz,  Francklin  says,  "  The  dew 
is  of  such  a  pure  nature,  that  if  the  brightest  scimitar  should  be 
exposed  to  it  all  night,  it  would  not  receive  the  least  rust." 

Note  243,  p.  164.  —  Who,  on  Cadessia's  bloody i^ains. 
The  place  where  the  Persians  were  finally  defeated  by  the  Arabs, 
and  their  ancient  monarchy  destroyed. 

Note  244,  p.  164.  —  Beyond  the  Caspian's  Iron  Gates. 
Derbend.  —  "  Les  Turcs  appellent  cette  ville  Demir  Capi,  Porte 
de  Fer ;  ce  sont  les  CaspiiB  Portce  des  anciens."  —  D'Herbelot. 

Note  245,  p.  165.  —  They  burst,  like  Zeilan's  giant  palm. 
The  Talpot  or  Talipot  tree.  "  This  beautiful  palm-tree,  which 
grows  in  the  heart  of  tlie  forests,  maj'  be  classed  among  the  loftiest 
trees,  and  becomes  still  higher  when  on  the  point  of  bursting  forth 
from  its  leafy  summit.  The  sheath  which  then  envelops  the  flower 
is  very  large,  and,  when  it  bursts,  makes  an  explosion  like  the 
report  of  a  cannon." — Thunberg. 

Note  246,  p.  166.  —  Before  whose  sabre's  dazzling  light. 
"  When  the  bright  scimitars  make  the  eyes  of  our  heroes  wink." 
—  The  Moallahat,  Poem  of  Amru. 

Note  247,  p.  167.  —  Sprung  from  those  old,  enchanted  kings. 
Tahmuras,  and  other  ancient  kings  of  Persia ;  whose  adventures 
in  Fairy-land  among  the  Peris  and  Dives  may  be  found  in  Richard- 
son's curious  Dissertation.  The  griffin  Simoorgh,  they  say,  took 
some  feathers  from  her  breast  for  Tahmuras,  with  which  he  adorned 
his  helmet,  and  transmitted  them  afterwards  to  his  descendants. 

Note  248,  p.  168.  —  Of  sainted  cedars  on  its  banks. 
This  rivulet,  saj's  Dandini,  is  called  the  Holy  River  from  the 
"cedar-saints"  among  which  it  rises. 


NOTES.  311 

In  the  Lettres  Edifiantes,  there  is  a  different  cause  assigned  for 
its  name  of  Holy.  "  In  these  are  deep  caverns,  which  formerly 
served  as  so  many  cells  for  a  great  number  of  recluses,  who  had 
chosen  these  retreats  as  the  only  witnesses  upon  earth  of  the  sever- 
ity of  their  penance.  The  tears  of  these  pious  penitents  gave  the 
river  of  which  we  have  just  treated  the  name  of  the  Holy  River." 
See  Chateaubriand's  Beauties  of  Christianity. 

Note  249,  p.  169.  —  Of  Oman  beetling  awfully. 
This  mountain  is  my  own  creation,  as  the  "  stupendous  chain," 
of  which  I  suppose  it  a  link,  does  not  extend  quite  so  far  as  the 
shores  of  the  Persian  Gulf.  "  This  long  and  lofty  range  of  moun- 
tains formerly  divided  Media  from  Assyria,  and  now  forms  the 
boundary  of  tlie  Persian  and  Turkish  empires.  It  runs  parallel 
with  the  river  Tigris  and  Persian  Gulf,  and  almost  disappearing  in 
the  vicinity  of  Gomberoon  (Harmozia),  seems  once  more  to  rise  in 
the  southern  districts  of  Kerman,  and  following  an  easterly  course 
through  the  centre  of  Meckrauu  and  Balouchistan,  is  entirely  lost 
in  the  deserts  of  Sinde."  —  Kinneir's  Persian  Emjnre. 

Note  250,  p.  170.  —  That  oft  the  sleeinng  albatross. 
These  birds  sleep  in  the  air.     They  are  most  common  about  the 
Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

Note  251,  p.  170.  — Beneath  the  Gheber's  lonely  cliff. 
"  There  is  an  extraordinary  hill  in  this  neighborhood,  called  Koh6 
Gubr,  or  the  Guebre's  Mountain.  It  rises  in  the  form  of  a  lofty 
cupola,  and  on  the  summit  of  it,  they  say,  are  the  remains  of  an 
Atush  Kudu,  or  Fire-Temple.  It  is  supcrstitiously  held  to  be  the 
residence  of  Deeves  or  Sprites,  and  many  marvellous  stories  are 
recounted  of  the  injury  and  witchcraft  sufiered  by  those  who  es- 
sayed in  former  days  to  ascend  or  explore  it."  —  Pottinger's  Beloo- 
chistan. 

Note  252,  p.  171.  —  Of  that  vast  mountain  stood  on  fire. 
The  Ghebers  generally  bmlt  their  temples  over  subterraneous 
fires. 

Note  253,  p.  171.  —  Still  did  the  mighty  fiame  burn  on. 
"At  the  city  of  Yezd,  in  Persia,  which  is  distinguished  by  the 


312  NOTES. 

appellation  of  the  Dariib  Abadut,  or  Seat  of  Religion,  the  Guebres 
are  permitted  to  have  an  Atush  Kudu,  or  Fire-Temple  (which,  they 
assert,  has  had  the  sacred  tire  in  it  since  the  days  of  Zoroaster),  in 
their  own  compartment  of  the  city;  but  for  tliis  indulgence  they 
are  indebted  to  the  avarice,  not  the  tolerance  of  the  Persian  gov- 
ernment, which  taxes  them  at  twenty-tive  rupees  each  man."  — 
Pottinger's  Beloochislan. 

Note  254,  p.  172.  —  The  blood  of  Zal  and  Rustam  rolls. 
Ancient  heroes  of  Persia.     "  Among  the  Guebres  there  are  some 
who  boast  their  descent  from  Rustam."  —  Stephen's  Persia. 

Note  255,  p.  173.  —  Ao'oss  the  durh-sea  robber^s  way. 
See  Russel's  account  of  the  panther's  attacking  travellers  in  the 
night  on  the  sea-shore  about  the  roots  of  Lebanon. 

Note  256,  p.  173.  —  The  wandering  Spirits  of  their  Dead. 
"  Among  other  ceremonies  the  Magi  used  to  place  upon  the  tops 
of  high  towers  various  kinds  of  rich  viands,  upon  which  it  was 
supposed  the  Peris  and  the  spirits  of  their  departed  heroes  regaled 
themselves."  — Richardson. 

Note  257,  p.  173.  —  Nor  charmed  leaf  of  pure  piomegranate. 
In  the  ceremonies  of  the  Ghebers  round  their  Fire,  as  described 
by  Lord,  "the  Daroo,"  he  says,  "givetli  them  water  to  drink,  and 
a  pomegranate  leaf  to  chew  in  the  mouth,  to  cleanse  them  firom 
inward  uncleanness." 

Note  258,  p.  173.  —  Nor  symbol  of  their  worshipped  planet. 
"Earl}'  in  the  morning,  they  (the  Parsees  or  Ghebers  at  Oulam) 
go  in  crowds  to  pay  their  devotions  to  the  Sun,  to  whom  upon  all 
the  altars  there  are  spheres  consecrated,  made  by  magic,  resembling 
the  circles  of  the  sim,  and  when  the  sun  rises,  these  orbs  seem  to 
be  inflamed,  and  to  turn  round  with  a  great  noise.  They  have 
every  one  a  censer  in  their  hands,  and  offer  incense  to  the  sun."  — 
Rabbi  Benjamin. 

Note  259,  p.  174.  —  They  swore  the  latest,  holiest  deed. 
"  Nul  d'entre  eux  oseroit  se  parjurer,  quand  il  a  pris  a  t^moin 
cet  Element  terrible  et  vengeur."  —  Encyclopedic  Frangoise. 


NOTES.  313 

Note  260,  p.  174.  —  Tlie  Persian  lily  shines  and  toicers. 
"A  vivid  verdure  succeeds  the  autumnal  rains,  and  the  ploughed 
fields  are  covered  with  the  Persian  lily,  of  a  resplendent  yellow 
color."  —  Russel's  Aleppo. 

Note  261,  p.  177.  —  When  tossed  at  midniyht  furioushj. 
"  It  is  observed,  with  respect  to  the  Sea  of  Herkend,  that  when 
it  is  tossed  by  tempestuous  winds  it  sparkles  like  fire." —  Travels 
of  Two  Mohammedans. 

Note  262,  p.  177.  —  Up,  daughter,  up —  the  Kerna's  breath. 
A  kind  of  trumpet ;  —  it  "  was  that  used  by  Tamerlane,  the  sound 
of  which  is  described  as  uncommonly  dreadful,  and  so  loud  as  to 
be  heard  at  the  distance  of  several  miles."  — Kichardson. 

Note  2G3,  p.  178.  —  Thou  wor'si  on  Ohod's  feld  of  death. 
"  Mohammed  had  two  helmets,  an  interior  and  exterior  one;  the 
latter  of  which,  called  AI  Mawashah,  the  fillet,  wreath,  or  wreathed 
garland,  he  wore  at  the  battle  of  Ohod."  —  Universal  History. 

Note  264,  p.  179.  — But  turn  to  ashes  on  (he  lips. 

"  They  say  that  there  are  apple-trees  upon  the  sides  of  this  sea, 
•which  bear  very  lovely  fruit,  but  within  are  all  full  of  ashes."  — 
Thevenot.  The  same  is  asserted  of  the  oranges  there ;  vide  Wit- 
man's  Travels  in  Asiatic  Turkey. 

"  The  Asphalt  Lake,  known  by  the  name  of  the  Dead  Sea,  is 
verj'  remarkable  on  account  of  the  considerable  proportion  of  salt 
which  it  contains.  In  this  respect  it  surpasses  every  other  known 
water  on  the  surface  of  the  earth.  This  great  proportion  of  bitter- 
tasted  salts  is  the  reason  why  neither  animal  nor  plant  can  live  in 
this  water." — Klaproth's  Chemical  Analysis  of  the  Water  of  the 
Dead  Sea,  Atmals  of  Philosophy,  January,  1813.  Hasselquist,  how- 
ever, doubts  the  truth  of  this  last  assertion,  as  there  are  shell-fish 
to  be  found  in  the  lake. 

Lord  Byron  has  a  similar  allusion  to  the  fruits  of  the  Dead  Sea, 
in  that  wonderful  display  of  genius,  his  third  Canto  of  Childe 
Harold,  —  magnificent  beyond  anything,  perhaps,  that  even  he 
has  ever  written. 


314  NOTES. 

Note  265,  p.  180.  — While  lalces,  that  shone  in  mockery  nigh. 

"  The  Suhrab,  or  Water  of  the  Desert,  is  said  to  be  caused  by 
the  rarefaction  of  the  atmosphere  from  extreme  heat;  and,  which 
augments  the  delusion,  it  is  most  frequent  in  hollows,  where  water 
might  be  expected  to  lodge.  I  have  seen  bushes  and  trees  reflected 
in  it  with  as  much  accuracy  as  though  it  had  been  the  face  of  a 
clear  and  still  lake."  —  Pottinger. 

"  As  to  the  unbelievers,  their  works  are  like  a  vapor  in  a  plain, 
which  the  thirsty  traveller  thinketh  to  be  water,  until  when  he 
Cometh  thereto  he  findeth  it  to  be  nothing."  —  Koran,  chap.  xxiv. 

Note  266,  p.  181. —  The  Bid-musk  had  just  passed  over.  —  "A 
wind  which  prevails  in  February,  called  Bid-musk,  from  a  small 
and  odoriferous  flower  of  that  name."  — "  The  wind  which  blows 
these  flowers  commonly  lasts  till  the  end  of  the  month." — Le 
Bruyn. 

Note  267,  p.  181.  —  The  sea-gypsies,  who  live  forever  on  the  water. 
—  "  The  Biajiis  are  of  two  races:  the  one  is  settled  on  Borneo,  and 
are  a  rude  but  warlike  and  industrious  nation,  who  reckon  them- 
selves the  original  possessors  of  the  island  of  Borneo.  The  other 
is  a  species  of  sea-gypsies  or  itinerant  fishermen,  who  live  in  small 
covered  boats,  and  enjoy  a  perpetual  summer  on  the  eastern  ocean, 
shifting  to  leeward  from  island  to  island,  with  the  variations  of  the 
monsoon.  In  some  of  their  customs  this  singular  race  resemble  the 
natives  of  the  Maldivia  Islands.  The  Maldivians  annually  launch 
a  small  bark,  loaded  with  perfumes,  gums,  flowers,  and  odoriferous 
wood,  and  turn  it  adrift  at  the  mercy  of  winds  and  waves,  as  an 
offering  to  the  Spirit  of  the  Winds  ;  and  sometimes  similar  offerings 
are  made  to  the  spirit  whom  they  term  the  King  of  the  Sea.  In 
like  manner  the  Biajus  perform  their  oflering  to  the  God  of  Evil, 
launching  a  small  bark,  loaded  with  all  the  sins  and  misfortunes 
of  the  nation,  which  are  imagined  to  fall  on  the  unhappy  crew  that 
maj^  be  so  unlucky  as  first  to  meet  with  it."  —  Dr.  Leyden  on  the 
Languages  and  Literature  of  the  Indo-Chinese  Nations. 

Note  268,  p.  181. —  The  violet  sherbets. —  ''The  sweet-scented 
violet  is  one  of  the  plants  most  esteemed,  particularly  for  its  great 
use  in  Sorbet,  which  they  make  of  violet  sugar."  — Hasselquist. 


NOTES.  315 

"  The  sherbet  they  most  esteem,  and  which  is  drunk  by  the 
Grand  Signor  himself,  is  made  of  violets  and  sugar."  —  Tavernier. 

Note  269,  p.  182.  —  The  pathetic  measure  of  Nava.  —  "  Last  of  all 
she  took  a  guitar,  and  sung  a  pathetic  air  in  the  measure  called 
Nava,  which  is  always  used  to  express  the  lamentations  of  absent 
lovers." — Persian  Tales. 

Note  270,  p.  18i.  —  No  music  timed  her  parting  oar. 
"  The  Easterns  used  to  set  out  on  their  longer  voyages  with 
music."  —  Harnier. 

Note  271,  p.  184.  —  In  silence  through  the  Gate  of  Tears. 
"  The  Gate  of  Tears,  the  straits  or  passage  into  the  Eed  Sea, 
commonly  called  Babelmandel.  It  received  this  name  from  the 
old  Arabians,  on  account  of  the  danger  of  the  navigation,  and  the 
number  of  shipwrecks  by  which  it  was  distinguished;  which  in- 
duced them  to  consider  as  dead,  and  to  wear  mourning  for  all  who 
had  the  boldness  to  hazard  the  passage  through  it  into  the  Ethiopic 
Ocean."  —  Richardson. 

Note  272,  p.  184.  —  In  the  still  war-m  and  living  breath. 
"  I  have  been  told  that  whensoever  an  animal  falls  down  dead, 
one   or  more  vultures,  unseeii  before,  instantly  appear."  —  Pen- 
nant. 

Note  273,  p.  184.  — As  a  young  bird  of  Babylon. 
"They  fasten  some  writing  to  the  wings  of  a  Bagdat  or  Baby 
Ionian  pigeon."  —  Travels  of  certain  Englishmen. 

Note  274,  p.  185.  —  Shooting  around  their  jasper  fount. 
"  The  Empress  of  Jehan-Guire  used  to  divert  herself  with  feed- 
ing tame  fish  in  her  canals,  some  of  which  were  many  years  after- 
wards known  by  tillets  of  gold,  which  she  caused  to  be  put  round 
them."  —  Harris. 

Note  275,  p.  185.  —  To  tell  her  ruby  rosary. 
"  Le  Tespih,  qui  est  un  chapelet  compost  de  99  petites  boules 
d'agate,  de  jaspe,  d'ambre,  de  corail,  ou  d'autre  matiere  pr^cieuse. 


316  NOTES. 

J'en  ai  vu  un  superbe  au  Seigneur  Jeipos;  il  ^toit  de  belles  et 
grosses  perles  parfaites  et  ^gales,  estimd  trente  mille  piastres."  — 
Toderini. 

Note  27G,  p.  188.  —  Like  meteor  brands  as  if  throughout. 
The  meteors  that  Pliny  calls  "  faces." 

Note  277,  p.  188.  —  The  Star  o/"  Egypt,  whose  proud  light. 
"  The  brilliant  Canopus,  unseen  in  European  climates."  —  Brown. 

Note  278,  p.  189.  —  In  the  White  Islands  of  the  West. 
See  Wilford's  learned  Essays  on  the  Sacred  Isles  in  the  West. 

Note  279,  p.  189.  —  Sparkles,  as  H  were  that  lightning  gem. 
A  precious  stone  of  the  Indies,  called  by  the  ancients  Ceraunium, 
because  it  was  supposed  to  be  found  in  places  where  thmider  had 
fallen.  Tertullian  says  it  has  a  glittering  appearance,  as  if  there 
had  been  fire  in  it ;  and  the  author  of  the  Dissertation  in  Harris's 
Voyages,  supposes  it  to  be  the  opal. 

Note  280,  p.  191. —  Tlieir  garb —  the  leathern  belt  that  wraps. 
D'Herbelot,  art.  Agduani. 

Note  281,  p.  191.  —  Each  yellow  vest —  that  rebel  hue. 
"  The  Guebres  are  known  by  a  dark  yeUow  color,  which  the  men 
affect  in  their  clothes."  —  Thevenot. 

Note  282,  p.  191. —  TJie  Tartar  fleece  upon  their  caps. 
"  The  Kolah,  or  cap,  worn  by  the  Persians,  is  made  of  the  skm 
of  the  sheep  of  Tartary."  — Waring. 

Note  283,  p.  196.  —  Open  her  bosom's  glowing  veil. 
A  frequent  image  among  the  Oriental  poets.    "  The  nightingales 
warbled  their  enchanting  notes,  and  rent  the  thin  veils  of  the  rose- 
bud and  the  rose."  —  Jami. 

Note  284,  p.  199.  —  The  sorrowful  tree,  Nilica.  —  "  Blossoms  of 
the  sorrowful  Nyctanthes  give  a  durable  color  to  silk."  —  Remarks 
on  the  Husbandry  of  Bengal,  p.  200.    Nilica  is  one  of  the  Indian 


NOTES.  817 

names  of  this  flower.  —  Sir  W.  Jones.    The  Persians  call  it  GuI.  — 
Carreri. 

Note  285,  p.  200. —  That  cooling  feast  the  traveller  loves. 
"  In  parts  of  Kerman,  whatever  dates  are  shaken  from  the  trees 
by  the  wind  they  do  not  touch,  but  leave  them  for  those  who  have 
not  any,  or  for  travellers."  — Ebn  Haukal. 

Note  286,  p.  201.  —  Tlie  Searchers  of  the  Grave  appear. 
The  two  terrible  angels  Monkir  and  Nakir,  who  are  called  "  the 
Searchers  of  the  Grave  "  in  the  "  Creed  of  the  orthodox  Mahome- 
tans "  given  by  Ockley,  Vol.  II. 

Note  287,  p.  202.  —  The  mandrake's  charnel  leaves  at  night. 
"  The  Arabians  call  the  mandrake  '  the  Devil's  candle,'  on  ac- 
count of  its  shining  appearance  in  the  night."  —  Richardson. 

Note  288,  p.  207.—  Of  the  still  Halls  of  Ishmonie. 
For  an  account  of  Ishmonie,  the  petrified  city  in  Upper  Egypt, 
where  it  is  said  there  are  many  statues  of  men,  women,  etc.,  to  be 
seen  to  tliis  day,  see  Perry's  View  of  the  Levant. 

Note  289,  p.  209.  —  And  ne'er  did  saint  of  Issa  gaze.  — Jesus. 

Note  290,  p.  209.  —  The  death-flames  that  beneath  him  burned. 

The  Ghebers  say  that  when  Abraham,  their  great  Prophet,  was 
thrown  into  the  tire  by  order  of  Nimrod,  the  flame  turned  instantly 
into  "a  bed  of  roses,  where  the  child  sweetly  reposed."  —  Taver- 
nier. 

Of  their  other  Prophet,  Zoroaster,  thei-e  is  a  story  told  in  Di<m 
Prusaius,  Orat.  36,  that  the  love  of  wisdom  and  virtue  leading  him 
to  a  solitary  life  upon  a  mountain,  he  found  it  one  daj'  all  in  a 
flame,  shining  with  celestial  fire,  out  of  which  he  came  without  any 
harm,  and  instituted  certain  sacrifices  to  God,  who,  he  declared, 
then  appeared  to  him.  —  See  Patrick  on  Exodus  iii.  2. 

Note  291,  p.  212.  —  A  ponderous  sea-horn  hung,  and  blew. 
"The  shell  called  Siiankos,  common  to  India,  Africa,  and  the 


318  NOTES. 

Mediterranean,  and  still  used  in  many  parts  as  a  trumpet  for  blow- 
ing alarms  or  giving  signals:  it  sends  forth  a  deep  and  hollow 
sound."  — Pennant. 

Note  292,  p.  213.  —  And  the  ichite  ox-tails  streamed  behind. 
"  The  finest  ornament  for  the  horses  is  made  of  six  large  flj'ing 
tassels  of  long  white  hair,  taken  out  of  the  tails  of  wild  oxen,  that 
are  to  be  found  in  some  places  of  the  Indies."  —  Thevenot. 

Note  293,  p.  214.  —  Sweet  as  the  angel  Israfil's. 
"  The  angel  Israfil,  who  has  the  most  melodious  voice  of  all  God's 
creatures."  —  Sale. 

Note  294,  p.  217.  —  Wound  slow,  as  through  Golconda's  vale. 
See  Hoole  upon  the  Story  of  Sindbad. 

Note  295,  p.  220.  —  From  the  ivild  covert  where  he  lay. 
"  In  this  thicket  upon  the  banks  of  the  Jordan  several  sorts  of 
wild  beasts  are  wont  to  harbor  themselves,  whose  being  washed  out 
of  the  covert  by  tlie  overflowings  of  the  river  gave  occasion  to  that 
allusion  of  Jeremiah.  He  shall  come  up  like  a  lion  from  the  swelling  of 
Jordan.''''  —  Maundrell's  Alejipo. 

Note  296,  p.  227.  —  Like  the  wind  of  the  south  o'er  a  summer  lute 
blowing. 

"This  wind  (the  Samoor)  so  softens  the  strings  of  lutes,  that 
they  can  never  be  tuned  while  it  lasts."  —  Stephen's  Persia. 

Note  297,  p.  228.  — With  naught  but  the  sea-star  to  light  up  her  tomb. 
"  One  of  the  greatest  curiosities  found  in  the  Persian  Gulf  is  a 
fish  which  the  English  call  Star-fish.  It  is  circular,  and  at  night 
very  luminous,  resembling  the  full  moon  surrounded  by  rays."  — 
Mirza  Abu  Taleb. 

Note  298,  p.  228.  —  And  still,  lohen  the  merry  date-season  is  burning. 
For  a  description  of  the  merriment  of  the  date-time,  of  their 
work,  their  dances,  and  their  return  home  from  the  palm-groves  at 
the  end  of  autumn  with  the  fruits,  see  Kismpfer,  Amcenitat.  Exot. 


NOTES.  319 

Note  299,  p.  228.  —  That  ever  the  sm-n-owing  sea-bird  has  wept. 
Some  naturalists  have  imagined  that  amber  is  a  concretion  of 
the  tears  of  birds.  — See  Trevoux,  Chambers. 

Note  300,  p.  229.  —  We'll  seek  where  the  sands  of  the   Caspian  are 
sparkling. 
"  The  bay  Kieselarke,  which  is  otherwise  called  the  Golden  Baj'', 
the  sand  whereof  sliiues  as  fire."  — Stray. 

Note  301,  p.  230.  —  The  summary  crilicism  of  the  Oliabuk.  —  "  The 
application  of  whips  or  rods."  —  Dubois. 

Note  302,  p.  231.  —  Chief  Holder  of  the  Girdle  of  Beautiful 
Forms.  —  Krempfer  mentions  such  an  otficer  among  the  attendants 
of  the  King  of  Persia,  and  calls  him  "  formoe  corporis  estimator." 
His  business  M'as,  at  stated  periods,  to  measure  the  ladies  of  the 
Harem  by  a  sort  of  regulation-girdle,  whose  limits  it  was  not 
thought  graceful  to  exceed.  If  any  of  them  outgrew  this  standard 
of  shape,  they  were  reduced  by  abstinence  till  they  came  within 
proper  bounds. 

Note  303,  p.  231.  —  Forbidden  River.  —  The  Attock. 

"  Akbar  on  his  way  ordered  a  fort  to  be  built  upon  the  Nilab, 
which  he  called  Attock,  which  means  in  the  Indian  language 
Forbidden;  for,  by  the  superstition  of  the  Hindoos,  it  was  held 
unlawful  to  cross  that  river."  —  Dow's  Hindostan. 

Note  304,  p.  232. — One  genial  star  that  rises  nightly  over  their 
heads.  —  "The  inhabitants  of  this  country  (Zinge)  are  never  af- 
flicted with  sadness  or  melancholy;  on  this  subject  the  Sheikh  Abu- 
Al-Kheir-Azhari  has  the  following  distich :  — 

" '  Who  is  the  man  M'ithout  care  or  sorrow  (tell),  that  I  may  rub 
my  hand  to  him. 

"  '  (Behold)  the  Zingians,  without  care  or  sorrow,  frolicsome  with 
tipsiness  and  mirth.' 

"  The  philosophers  have  discovered  that  the  cause  of  this  cheer- 
fulness proceeds  from  the  influence  of  the  star  Soheil  or  Canopus, 
which  rises  over  them  ever}' night." — Extract  from  a  Geographic 
cal  Persian  Manuscript  called  Heft  Aklim ;  or,  the  Seven  Climates, 
translated  by  W.  Ouseley,  Esq. 


320  NOTES. 

Note  305,  p.  233.  —  Lizards.  —  "  The  lizard  Stellio.  The  Arabs 
call  it  Harclun.  The  Turks  kill  it,  for  they  imagine  that  by  declin- 
ing the  head  it  mimics  them  when  they  say  their  prayers."  — Has- 

selquist. 

Note  306,  p.  233.  —  Royal  Gardens. — For  these  particulars  re- 
specting Hussun  Abdaul,  I  am  indebted  to  the  very  interesting  In- 
troduction of  Mr.  Elphinstoue's  work  upon  Caubul. 

Note  307,  p.  233.  —  It  was  too  delicious.  —  "  As  you  enter  at  that 
Bazaar,  without  the  gate  of  Damascus,  you  see  the  Green  Mosque, 
so  called  because  it  hath  a  steeple  faced  with  green  glazed  bricks, 
which  render  it  very  resplendent ;  it  is  covered  at  top  with  a  pavil- 
ion of  the  same  stuff.  The  Turks  say  this  mosque  was  made  in 
that  place,  because  Mahomet  being  come  so  far,  would  not  enter 
the  town,  saying  it  was  too  delicious."  —  Thevenot.  This  re- 
minds one  of  the  following  pretty  passage  in  Izaak  Walton :  — 
"  When  I  sat  last  on  this  primrose  bank,  and  looked  down  these 
meadows,  I  thought  of  them  as  Charles  the  Emperor  did  of  the 
city  of  Florence,  '  that  they  were  too  pleasant  to  be  looked  on,  but 
only  on  holidays.'  " 

Note  308,  p.  234. —  The  Sultana  Nourmahal,  the  Light  of  the 
Harem.  —  Nourmahal  signifies  Light  of  the  Harem.  She  was 
afterwards  called  Nourjehan,  or,  the  Light  of  the  World. 

Note  309,  p.  23-1.  —  The  small  shining  fishes  of  which  she  was  so 
fond.  —  See  Note  274. 

Note  310,  p.  234.  —  Haroun  Al-Raschid  and  his  fair  mistress 
Marida.  —  "  Haroun  Al-Raschid,  cinquieme  Khalife  des  Abassides, 
s'^tant  un  jour  brouille  avec  une  de  ses  maitresses  nommee  Mari- 
dah,  qu'il  aimoit  cependant  jusqu'a  I'exc^s,  etcette  mesintelligence 
ayant  d^ja  durc^e  quelque  tems  commen^a  a  s'ennuyer.  Giafar  Bar- 
maki,  son  favori,  qui  s'en  apper^fit,  commandaaAbbas  ben  Ahnaf, 
excellent  poete  de  ce  tems-la,  de  composer  quelques  vers  sur  le 
sujet  de  cette  brouillerie.  Ce  poete  executa  I'ordre  de  Giafar,  qui 
fit  chanter  ces  vers  par  Moussali  en  presence  du  Khalife,  et  ce 
Prince  fut  tellement  touch6  de  la  tendresse  des  vers  du  poete  et  de 


NOTES.  321 

lu  douceur  de  la  voix  du  musicien,  qu'il  alia  aussitOt  trouver  Mari- 
dah,  et  fit  sa  paix  avec  elle."  — D'Herbelot. 

Note  311,  p.  235.  —  With  its  roses  the  brightest  that  earth  ever  gave. 
"The  rose  of  Kashmire  for  its  brilliancy  and  delicacy  of  odor, 
has  long  been  proverbial  in  the  East."  —  Forster. 

Note  312,  p.  235.  —  Round  the  waist  of  some  fair  Indian  dancer  is 
ringing. 

"  Tied  round  her  waist  the  zone  of  bells,  that  sounded  with  rav- 
ishing melody."  —  Song  of  Jatjadeva. 

Note  313,  p.  23G.  —  The  young  aspen-trees. 
"  The  little  isles  in  the  Lake  of  Cacheniire  are  set  with  arbors 
and  large-leaved  aspen-trees,  slender  and  tall."  —  Bernier. 

Note  314,  p.  236.  —  Shines  in  through  the  mountainous  portal  that 
opes. 
"  The  Tuckt  Suliman,  the  name  bestowed  by  the  Mahometans 
on  this  hill,  forms  one  side  of  a  grand  portal  to  the  Lake."  — 
Forster. 

Note  315,  p.  23G.  —  The  VaUey  holds  its  Feast  of  Roses. 
"  The  Feast  of  Roses  continues  the  whole  time  of  their  remain- 
ing in  bloom."  —  See  Pietro  de  la  Valle. 

Note  316,  p.  237.  —  The  Floweret  of  a  hundred  leaves. 
"  Gul  sad  berk,  the  Rose  of  a  hundred  leaves.     I  believe  a  par- 
ticular species."  —  Ouseley. 

Note  317,  p.  237.  —  Behind  the  jmbns  of  Bakamoule.  —  Bernier. 

Note  318,  p.  237.  —C/J  Bela's  hills  is  less  alive. 
A  place  mentioned  in  the  Toozek  Jehangeery,  or  Memoirs  of 
Jehanguire,  where  there  is  an  account  of  the  beds  of  safl'rou  flow- 
ers about  Cashmere. 

Note  319,  p.  238.  —  Sung  from  his  lighted  gallery. 
"  It  is  the  custom  among  the  women  to  employ  the  Maazeen  to 
21 


322  NOTES. 

chant  from  the  gallery  of  the  nearest  minaret,  which  on  that  oc- 
casion is  ilhmiinated,  and  the  women  assembled  at  the  house  re- 
spond at  intervals  with  a  ziraleet  or  joyous  chorus."  — Russel. 

Note  320,  p.  238.  —  From  gardens,  where  the  silken  swing. 

"  The  swing  is  a  favorite  pastime  in  the  East,  as  promoting  a 
circulation  of  air,  extremely  refreshing  in  those  sultry  climates."  — 
Richardson. 

"  The  swings  are  adorned  with  festoons.  This  pastime  is  accom- 
panied with  the  music  of  voices  and  of  instruments,  hired  by  the 
masters  of  the  swings."  —  Thevenot. 

Note  321,  p.  238.  —  Among  the  tents  that  line  the  way. 
"  At  the  keeping  of  the  Feast  of  Roses  we  beheld  an  infinite 
number  of  tents  pitched,  with  such  a  crowd  of  men,  women,  boys, 
and  girls,  with  music,  dances,"  etc.,  etc.  — Herbert. 

Note  322,  p.  239.  —  An  answer  in  song  to  the  Mss  of  each  wave. 

"  An  old  commentator  of  the  Chou-King  says,  the  ancients  hav- 
ing remarked  that  a  current  of  water  made  some  of  the  stones  near 
its  banks  send  forth  a  sound,  they  detached  some  of  them,  and 
being  charmed  with  the  delightful  sound  they  emitted,  constructed 
King  or  musical  instruments  of  them."  —  Grosier. 

This  miraculous  quality  has  been  attributed  also  to  the  shore  of 
Attica.  "  Hujus  littus,  ait  Capella,  concentum  musicum  illisis 
terras  undis  reddere,  quod  propter  tantam  eruditionis  vim  puto  dic- 
tum." —  Liulov.  Vives  in  Auguslin.  cle  Civilat.  Dei,  Lib.  xviii.  c.  8. 

Note  323,  p.  239.  —  So  felt  the  magnifcent  Son  of  Acbar. 
Jehanguire  was  the  son  of  the  Great  Acbar. 

Note  324,  p.  241.  — Yet  playful  as  Peris  just  loosed  from  their  cagos. 
In  the  wars  of  the  Dives  with  the  Peris,  whenever  the  former  took 
the  latter  prisoners,  "  thej'  shut  them  up  in  iron  cages,  and  hung 
them  on  the  highest  trees.  Here  they  were  visited  by  their  com- 
panions, who  brought  them  the  choicest  odors."  — Richardson. 


NOTES.  323 

Note  325,  p.  241.  —  Of  the  flowers  of  tliis  planet  —  though  treasures 
icere  there. 
In  the  Malay  language  the  same  word   signifies  women   and 
flowers. 

Note  326,  p.  242.  —  He  saw  that  City  of  Dellyht. 
The  capital  of  Shadukiam.     See  note  195. 

Note  327,  p.  243.  —  lie  sits,  loith  flow' rets  fettered  rmmd. 
See  the  representation  of  the  Eastern  Cupid,  pinioned  closely 
round  with  wreaths  of  flowers  in  Picart's  Ceremonies  Religieuses. 

Note  328,  p.  243.  —  Lose  all  their  glory  when  he  flies. 
"  Among  the  birds  of  Tonquin  is  a  species  of  goldfinch,  which 
sings  so  melodiously  that  it  is  called  the  Celestial  bird.     Its  wings, 
when  it  is  perched,  appear  variegated  with  beautiful  colors,  but 
when  it  flies  they  lose  all  their  splendor."  —  Grosier. 

Note  329,  p.  244.  —  Whose  pinion  knows  no  resting-place. 
"  As  these  birds  on  the  Bosphorus  are  never  known  to  rest,  they 
are  called  by  the  French  '  les  ames  damn^es.' "  — Dalloway. 

Note  330,  p.  244.  —  If  there  his  darling  rose  is  not. 
"  You  maj'  place  a  hundred  handfuls  of  fragrant  herbs  and  flow- 
ers before  the  nightingale,  yet  he  wishes  not,  in  his  constant  heart, 
for  more  than  the  sweet  breath  of  his  beloved  rose."  —  Jami. 

Note  331,  p.  245.  —  From  the  great  Mantra,  xohich  around. 
"  He  is  said  to  have  found  the  great  Mantra,  spell  or  talisman, 
through  which  he  ruled  over  the  elements  and  spirits  of  all  denom- 
inations." —  Wilford. 

Note  332,  p.  245.  —  To  the  gold  gems  of  Afric. 

"  The  gold  jewels  of  Jinnie,  which  are  called  by  the  Arabs  El 
Hei'rez,  from  the  supposed  charm  they  contain."  —  Jackson. 

Note  333,  p.  245. —  To  keep  himfrovi  the  Siltim's  harm. 
"  A  demon,  supposed  to  haunt  woods,  etc.,  in  a  human  shape."  — 
Richardson. 


324  NOTES. 

Note  334,  p.  246.  —  Her  Sdlin's  smile  to  Noukmahal. 
The  name  of  Jehanguire  before  his  accession  to  the  throne. 

Note  335,  p.  247.  —  Anemones  and  Seas  of  Gold. 
"  Hemasagara,  or  the  Sea  of  Gold,  with  flowers  of  the  brightest 
gold  color."  —  Sir  W.  Jones. 

Note  336,  p.  247.  —  Their  buds  on  Camadeva's  quiver. 
"  This  tree  (the  Nagacesara)  is  one  of  the  most  delightful  on 
earth,  and  the  delicious  odor  of  its  blossoms  justly  gives  them  a 
place  in  the  quiver  of  Camadeva,  or  the  God  of  Love."  — Ibid. 

Note  337,  p.  247.  —  Is  called  the  Mistress  of  the  Night. 
"  The  Malayans  style  the  tube-rose  (Polianthes  tuberosa)  Sandal 
Malam,  or  the  Mistress  of  the  Night."  —  Pennant. 

Note  338,  p.  247.  —  That  wander  through  Zamaka's  shades. 
The  people  of  the  Batta  countrj'  in  Sumatra  (of  which  Zamara 
is  one  of  the  ancient  names),  "when  not  engaged  in  war,  lead  an 
idle,  inactive  life,  passing  the  day  in  playing  on  a  kind  of  tlute, 
crowned  with  garlands  of  flowers,  among  which  the  globe-ama- 
ranthus,  a  native  of  the  country,  mostly  prevails."  —  Marsden. 

Note  339,  p.  247.  —  From  the  divine  Amrita-tree. 
"  The  largest  and  richest  sort  (of  the  Jambu,  or  rose-apple)  is 
called  Amrita,  or  immortal,  and  the  mythologists  of  Tibet  apply 
the  same  word  to  a  celestial  tree,  bearing  ambrosial  fruit." — Sir 
W.  Jones. 

Note  340,  p.  247.  —  Down  to  the  basil  tuft,  that  tcaves. 

Sweet  basil,  called  Rayhan  in  Persia,  and  generally  found  in 
churchyards. 

"  The  women  in  Egypt  go,  at  least  two  days  in  the  week,  to  pray 
and  weep  at  the  sepulchres  of  the  dead;  and  the  custom  then  is  to 
throw  upon  the  tombs  a  sort  of  herb,  which  the  Arabs  call  rihan, 
and  which  is  our  sweet  basil."  —  Maillet,  Lett.  10. 

Note  341,  p.  248.  —  To  scent  the  desert  and  the  dead. 
"  In  the  Great  Desert  are  found  many  stalks  of  lavender  and 
rosemary."  — Asiat.  Res. 


NOTES.  325 

Note  342,  p.  249.  —  Thai  bbums  mi  a  leafless  bough. 
"  The  almond-tree,  with  white  flowers,  blossoms  on  the  bare 
branches."  —  Hasselquist. 

Note  343,  p.  249.  —  Inhabit  the  mountain-herb,  that  dyes. 

An  herb  on  Mount  Libanus,  which  is  said  to  communicate  a  yel- 
low golden  hue  to  the  teeth  of  the  goats  and  other  animals  that 
graze  upon  it. 

Niebuhr  thinks  this  may  be  the  herb  which  the  Eastern  alche- 
mists look  to  as  a  means  of  making  gold.  "  Most  of  those  alchem- 
ical enthusiasts  think  themselves  sure  of  success,  if  they  could 
but  find  out  the  herb,  which  gilds  the  teeth  and  gives  a  yellow 
color  to  the  flesh  of  the  sheep  that  eat  it.  Even  the  oil  of  this 
plant  must  be  of  a  golden  color.     It  is  called  Haschischat  ed  dab.^' 

Father  Jerom  Dandiui,  however,  asserts  that  the  teeth  of  the 
goats  at  Mount  Libanus  are  of  a  silvei-  color;  and  adds,  "  This  con- 
firms to  me  that  which  I  observed  in  Candia :  to  wit,  that  the  animals 
that  live  on  Mount  Ida  eat  a  certain  herb,  which  renders  their  teeth 
of  a  golden  color;  which,  according  to  my  judgment,  cannot  other- 
wise proceed  than  from  the  mines  which  are  under  ground."  — 
Dandini,  Voyage  to  Mount  Libanus. 

Note  344,  p.  250.  —  0/  Azab  blew,  was  full  of  scents. 
The  myrrh  country. 

Note  345,  p.  250.  —  Where  Love  himself,  of  old,  lay  sleeping. 
"  This  idea  (of  deities  living  in  shells)  was  not  unknown  to  the 
Greeks,  who  represent  the  young  Nerites,  one  of  the  Cupids,  as 
living  in  shells  on  the  shores  of  the  Red  Sea."  —  Wilford. 

Note  346,  p.  250.  —  From  Chindaka's  warbling  fount  I  come. 
'•  A  fabulous  fountain,  where  instruments  are  said  to  be  constantly 
playing."  — Kichardson. 

Note  347,  p.  251.  —  The  cinnamon-seed  from  grove  to  grove. 
"  The  Pompadour  pigeon  is  the  species,  which,  by  carrying  the 
fruit  of  the  cinnamon  to  different  places,  is  a  great  disseminator  of 
this  valuable  tree."  —  See  Brown's  Jlluslr.  Tub.  19. 


326  NOTES. 

Note  348,  p.  252. —  Jliepast,  Hie  present,  and  future  of  pleasure. 

"  Whenever  our  pleasure  arises  from  a  succession  of  sounds,  it  is 
a  perception  of  a  complicated  nature,  made  up  of  a  sensation  of  the 
present  sound  or  note,  and  an  idea  or  remembrance  of  the  foregoing, 
while  their  mixture  and  concurrence  produce  such  a  mysterious 
delight,  as  neither  could  have  produced  alone.  And  it  is  often 
heightened  by  an  anticipation  of  the  succeeding  notes.  Thus 
Sense,  jNIemory,  and  Imagination,  are  conjunctively  employed."  — 
Gerrard  on  Taste. 

This  is  exactly  the  Epicurean  theory  of  Pleasure,  as  explained 
by  Cicero :  —  "  Quocirca  corpus  gaudere  tamdiu,  dum  prsesentem 
sentiret  voluptatem :  animum  et  prajsentem  percipere  pariter  cum 
corpore  et  prospicere  venientem,  nee  prMteritam  prasterfluere 
sinere." 

Madame  de  Staiil  accounts  upon  the  same  principle  for  the  grati- 
fication we  derive  from  rhyme  :  —  "  Elle  est  I'image  de  I'esp^rance 
et  du  souvenir.  Un  sou  nous  fait  d(5sirer  celui  qui  doit  lui  repon- 
dre,  et  quand  le  second  retentit  il  nous  rappelle  celui  qui  vient  de 
nous  ^chapper." 

Note  349,  p.  252.  —  Whose  glimpses  are  again  withdraion. 
"  The  Persians  have  two  mornings,  the  Soobhi  Kazim  and  the 
Soobhi  Sadig,  the  false  and  the  real  daybreak.     They  account  for 
this  phenomenon  in  a  most  whimsical  manner.     They  say  that  as 
the  sun  rises  from  behind  the  Kohi  Qaf  {Mount  Caucasus),  it  passes 
a  hole  perforated  through  that  mountain,  and  that  darting  its  rays 
through  it,  it  is  the  cause  of  the  Soobhi  Kazim,  or  this  temporary 
appearance  of  daybreak.    As  it  ascends,  the  earth  is  again  veiled 
in  darkness,  until  the  sun  rises  above  the  mountain,  and  brings 
with  it  the  Soobhi  Sadig,  or  real  morning."  —  Scott  Waring.     He 
thinks  Milton  may  allude  to  this,  when  he  saj's,  — 
"  Ere  the  blabbing  Eastern  scout. 
The  nice  morn  on  the  Indian  steep 
i'rom  her  cabined  loop-hole  peep." 

Note  350,  p.  253.  —  In  his  mngnijicent  Shalimar. 
"  In  the  centre  of  the  plain,  as  it  approaches  the  Lake,  one  of  the 
Delhi  Emperors,  I  believe  Shah  Jehan,  constructed  a  .spacious  gar- 
den called  the  Shalimar,  which  is  abundantly  stored  with  fruit- 


NOTES.  327 

trees  and  flowering  shrubs.  Some  of  the  rivulets  which  intersect 
the  plain  are  led  into  a  canal  at  the  back  of  the  garden,  and  flow- 
ing through  its  centre,  or  occasionally  thrown  into  a  variety  of 
water-works,  compose  the  chief  beautj'  of  the  Shalimar.  To  deco- 
rate this  spot,  the  Mogul  Princes  of  India  have  displayed  an  equal 
magnificence  and  taste;  especially  Jehan  Gheer,  who,  with  the  en- 
chanting Noor  Mahl,  made  Kashmire  his  usual  residence  dui'lng 
the  summer  months.  On  arches  thrown  over  the  canal  are  erected, 
at  equal  distances,  four  or  five  suites  of  apartments,  each  consisting 
of  a  saloon,  with  four  rooms  at  the  angles,  where  the  followers  of 
the  court  attend,  and  the  servants  prepare  sherbets,  coffee,  and  the 
hookah.  The  frame  of  the  doors  of  the  principal  saloon  is  com- 
posed of  pieces  of  a  stone  of  a  black  color,  streaked  with  yellow 
lines,  and  of  a  closer  grain  and  higher  polish  than  porphyry.  They 
were  taken,  it  is  said,  from  a  Hindoo  temple,  by  one  of  the  Mogul 
princes,  and  are  esteemed  of  great  value."  —  Forster. 

Note  351,  p.  254.  —  Of  beauty  from  its  founts  and  streams. 
"  The  waters  of  Cachemir  are  the  more  renowned  from  its  being 
supposed  that  the  Cachemirians  are  indebted  for  their  beauty  to 
them."  —  Ali  Yezdi. 

Note  352,  p.  254.  —  Singing  in  gardens  of  the  South. 

"  From  him  I  received  the  following  little  Gazzel,  or  Love  Song, 
the  notes  of  which  he  committed  to  paper  from  the  voice  of  one  of 
those  singing  girls  of  Cashmere,  who  wander  from  that  delightful 
valley  over  the  various  parts  of  India."  —  Persian  Miscellanies. 

Note  353,  p.  254.  —  Delicate  as  the  roses  there. 
"The  roses  of  the  Jinan  Nile,  or  Garden  of  the  Nile  (attached  to 
the  Emperor  of  Marocco's  palace),  are  unequalled,  and  mattresses 
are  made  of  their  leaves  for  the  men  of  rank  to  recline  upon."  — 
Jackson. 

Note  354,  p.  254.  —  With  Paphian  diamonds  in  their  locks. 
"  On  the  side  of  a  mountain  near  Paphos  there  is  a  cavern  which 
produces  the  most  beautiful  rock-cr\-stal.     On  account  of  its  brill- 
iancy it  has  been  called  the  Paphian  diamond."  — Mariti. 


328  NOTES. 

Note  355,  p.  254.  — On  the  gold  meads  of  Candahar. 
"  There  is  a  part  of  Candahar,  called  Peria,  or  Fairy  Land."  — 
Thevenot.     In  some  of  those  countries  to  the  north  of  India,  vege- 
table gold  is  supposed  to  be  produced. 

Note  356,  p.  254  —  Had  been  by  magic  all  setfying. 
"  These  are  the  butterflies  which  are  called  in  the  Chinese  lan- 
guage Flying  Leaves.  Some  of  them  have  such  shining  colors, 
and  are  so  variegated,  that  they  may  be  called  flying  flowers;  and 
indeed  they  are  always  produced  in  the  finest  flower-gardens."  — 
Dunn. 

Note  357,  p.  255.  —  The  features  of  young  Arab  maids. 
"  The  Arabian  women  wear  black  masks  with  little  clasps  pret- 
tily ordered."  —  Carreri.     Niebuhr  mentions  their  showing  but  one 
ej'e  in  conversation. 

Note  358,  p.  2.55.  —  On  Casbih's  hills. 
"  The  golden  grapes  of  Casbin."  — Bescriptiun  of  Persia. 

Note  359,  p.  255.  —  And  sunniest  apples  that  Caubul. 
"  The  fruits  exported  from  Caubul  are  apples,  pears,  pomegran- 
ates," etc.  —  Elphinstone. 

Note  360,  p.  255.  —  In  all  its  thousand  gardctis  bears. 
"  We  sat  down  under  a  tree,  listened  to  the  birds,  and  talked 
with  the  son  of  our  Mehmaundar  about  our  country  and  Caubul, 
of  which  he  gave  an  enchanting  account:  that  city  and  its  100,000 
gardens,"  etc. — Ibid. 

Note  361,  p.  255.  — Malaya's  nectared  mangusteen. 
"  The  mangusteen,  the  most  delicate  fruit  in  the  world;  the  pride 
of  the  Malay  Islands."  —  Marsden. 

Note  362,  p.  255.  —  Seed  of  the  Sun,  from  Iran's  latid. 
"  A  delicious  kind  of  apricot,  called  by  the  Persians  tokra-ek- 
shems,  signifying  sun's  seed."  — Description  of  Persia. 


NOTES.  329 

Note  363,  p.  255.  —  With  rich  conserve  of  Visna  cherries. 
"  Sweetmeats,  in  a  crystal  cup,  consisting  of  rose-leaves  in  con- 
serve, with  lemon  of  Visna  cherry  orange  flowers,"  etc.  —  Russel. 

Note  364,  p.  256.  —  Feed  on  in  Eeac's  rocky  dells. 
"  Antelopes,  cropping  the  fresh  berries  of  Erac."  —  77(6  ifoallahat, 
Poem  of  Tarafa. 

Note  365,  p.  256.  —  And  urns  of  porcelain  frotn  thai  isle. 
"  Mam-i-ga-Sima,  an   island  near  Formosa,   supposed   to   have 
been  sunk  in  the  sea  for  the  crimes  of  its  inhabitants.     The  vessels 
which  the  tishermen  and  divers  bring  up  from  it  are  sold  at  an 
immense  price  in  China  and  .Japan."  —  See  Kajmpfer. 

Note  366,  p.  256.  —  Amber  Rosolli.  —  Persian  Tales. 

Note  367,  p.  256.  —  From  vineyards  of  the  Green  Sea  gushing. 
The  white  wine  of  Kishma. 

Note  368,  p.  256.  ~  Offered  a  city's  wealth. 
"  The  King  of  Zeilan  is  said  to  have  the  very  finest  ruby  that 
was  ever  seen.     Kublai-Khan  sent  and  offered  the  value  of  a  city 
for  it,  but  the  King  answered  he  would  not  give  it  for  the  treasure 
of  the  world."  —  Marco  Polo. 

Note  369,  p.  257.  —  Upon  a  7vsy  lotus-icreath. 
The  Indians  feign  that  Cupid  was  first  seen  floating  down  the 
Ganges  on  the  N}Miipha;a  Nelumbo.  —  See  Pennant. 

Note  370,  p.  257.  —  When  warm  they  rise  from  Teflts'  brooks. 
Teflis  is  celebrated  for  its  natural  warm  baths.  —  See  Ebn  Hau- 
kal. 

Note  371,  p.  257.-0/  a  Syrinda. 
"  The  Indian  Syrinda,  or  guitar."  — Symez. 

•  Note  372,  p.  257.  —  It  is  this,  it  is  this. 
"  Around  the  exterior  of  the  Dewan  Khafs  (a  building  of  Shah 
AUum's)  in  the  cornice  are  the  followhig  lines  in  letters  of  gold 


330  NOTES. 

upon  a  ground  of  white  marble:  —  '■  If  there   be  a  paradise   upon 
earth,  it  is  this,  it  is  this.'  "  —  Franklin. 

Note  373,  p.  257.  — As  the  flower  of  the  Anira  just  oped  by  a  bee. 

"  Delightful  are  the  flowers  of  the  Amra-trees  on  the  mountain 
tops,  while  the  murmui-ing  bees  pursue  their  voluptuous  toil."  — 
Song  of  Jayadeva. 

Note  374,  p.  257.  —  Aiid  jyrecious  their  tears  as  that  rain  from  the  sky. 
"  The  Nisan  or  drops  of  spring  rain,  which  they  believe  to  pro- 
duce pearls  if  they  fall  into  shells."  —  Richardson. 

Note  375,  p.  258.  —  Who  for  wine  of  this  earth  left  the  fountains 
above. 
For  an  account  of  the  share  which  wine  had  in  the  fall  of  the 
angels,  see  Mariti. 

Note  376,  p.  258.  —  Of  Israfil,  the  Angel,  there. 
The  Angel  of  Music.     See  note  293. 

Note  377,  p.  261. —  When  first  His  by  the  lapwing  found. 
The  Hudhud,  or  Lapwing,  is  supposed  to  have  the  power  of  dis- 
covering water  under  ground. 

Note  378,  p.  263.-0/  her  dream.  —  See  p.  181. 

Note  379,  p.  264.  —  Like  thtt  painted jMrcelain.  —  "  The  Chinese 
had  formerly  the  art  of  painting  on  the  sides  of  porcelain  vessels 
fish  and  other  animals,  which  were  only  perceptible  when  the  ves- 
sel was  full  of  some  liquor.  They  call  this  species  Kia  tsin,  that  is, 
azure  is  put  in  press,  on  account  of  the  manner  in  which  the  azure 
is  laid  on."  —  "  They  are  every  now  and  then  trying  to  recover  the 
art  of  this  magical  painting,  but  to  no  purpose."  — Dunn. 

Note  380,  p.  205.  —  House  of  Azor.  —  An  eminent  carver  of  idols, 
said  in  the  Koran  to  be  father  to  Abraham.  "  I  have  such  a  lovely 
idol  as  is  not  to  be  met  with  in  the  house  of  Azor."  —  Hafiz. 

Note  381,  p.  265.  —  The  Unequalled.  —  Kachmire  be  Nazeer.  — 
Forster. 


NOTES.  331 

Note  382,  p.  2G5.  —  Miraculous  fountains.  —  "The  pardonable 
superstition  of  the  sequestered  inhabitants  has  multiplied  the  places 
of  worship  of  Mahadeo,  of  Beschan,  and  of  Brama.  All  Cashmere 
is  holy  land,  and  miraculous  fountains  abound."  —  Major  Kennel's 
Memoirs  of  a  Map  of  Hindustan. 

Jehanguire  mentions  "a  fountain  in  Cashmere  called  Tirnagh, 
which  signifies  a  snake;  probably  because  some  large  snake  had 
formerly  been  seen  there."  —  "  During  the  lifetime  of  my  father, 
I  went  twice  to  this  fountain,  which  is  about  twenty  coss  from  the 
city  of  Cashmere.  The  vestiges  of  places  of  worship  and  sanctity 
are  to  be  traced  without  number  amongst  the  ruins  and  the  caves, 
which  are  interspersed  in  its  neighborhood."  —  Toozek  Jehangeery. 
—  See  Asidt.  Misc.  Vol.  II. 

There  is  another  account  of  Cashmere  by  Abul-Fazil,  the  author 
of  the  Ayin-Acbaree, "  who,"  says  Major  Kennel,  "  appears  to  have 
caught  some  of  the  enthusiasm  of  the  valley,  by  his  description  of 
the  holy  places  in  it." 

Note  383,  p.  265.  —  Roofed  with  flowers.  —  "  On  a  standing  roof 
of  wood  is  laid  a  covering  of  fine  earth,  which  shelters  the  building 
fi-om  the  great  quantity  of  snow  that  falls  in  the  winter  season. 
This  fence  communicates  an  equal  warmth  in  winter,  as  a  refresh- 
ing coolness  in  the  summer  season,  when  the  tops  of  the  houses, 
which  are  planted  with  a  varietN'  of  flowers,  exhibit  at  a  distance 
the  spacious  view  of  a  beautifully  checkered  parterre."  —  Forster. 

Note  384,  p.  2G6. —  The  triple-colored  tortoise-shell  of  Pegu. — 
"  Two  hundred  slaves  there  are,  who  have  no  other  office  than  to 
hunt  the  woods  and  marshes  for  triple-colored  tortoises  for  the 
King's  Vivary.  Of  the  shells  of  these  also  lanterns  are  made."  — 
Vincent  le  Blanc's  Travels. 

Note  385,  p.  266.  —  Like  the  meteors  of  the  north,  as  they  are  seen 
by  those  hunters.  —  For  a  description  of  the  Aurora  Borealis  as  it 
appears  to  these  hunters,  see  Encychpeedia. 

Note  386,  p.  267. — Odoriferous  uind.  —  This  wind,  which  is  to 
blow  from  Syria  Damasrena,  is,  according  to  the  Mahometans,  one 
of  the  signs  of  the  Last  Day's  approach. 


332  NOTES. 

Another  of  the  signs  is,  "  Great  distress  in  the  world,  so  that  a 
'  man  when  he  passes  by  another's  grave  shall  say,  '  AYould  to  God 
I  were  in  his  pfcce !  '  "  —  Sale's  Preliminary  Discourse. 

Note  387,  p.  269.  —  As  jirecious  as  the  Cerulean  Throne  of  Cool- 
burfja." — "On  Mahommed  Shaw's  return  to  Koolburga  (the capital 
of  Dekkan),he  made  a  great  festival,  and  mounted  this  throne  with 
much  pomp  and  magniiicence,  calling  it  Firozeh,  or  Cerulean.  I 
have  heard  sOmG  old  persons,  w^ho  saw  the  throne  Firozeh  in  the 
riSgn  of  Sultan  Mamood  Bhamenee,  describe  it.  They  say  that  it 
was  in  length' nine  feet,  and  three  in  breadth;  made  of  ebony,  cov- 
ered with  plates  of  pure  gold,  and  set  with  precious  stones  of  im- 
mense value,  livery  priqce  of  the  house  of  Bhamenee,  who  pos- 
sessed this  throrie,'made  a  poTnt  of  adding  to  it  some  rich  stones; 
so  that  when  in  the  reign  of  Sultan  Mamood  it  was  taken  to  pieces, 
to  remove  some  of  the  jewels  to  be  set  in  vases  and  cups,  the  jew- 
ellers valued  it  at  one  corore  of  oons  (nearly  four  millions  sterling). 
I  learned  also  that  it -was  called  Firozeh  from  being  partly  enam- 
elled of  a  sky-blue  color,  which  was  in  time  totally  concealed  by 
the  number  of  jewels."  —  Feriskia. 


THE   END. 


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